Synopsis
Harrison Ford first appears with slicked-back hair (now oddly, but not inappropriately,reminiscent of Christian Bale’s look in American Psycho) as a top-flight lawyer andworld-class SOB, inconsiderate toward his wife and daughter. Then he’s shot in the head.Recovery is long and slow, and he has lost his memory. As he returns to his life, he is now amuch nicer person, and discovers that he doesn’t like the man he used to be. Director MikeNichols and writer Jeffrey Abr…ms trot out every trick in the book to get us tearing up, up to andincluding an adowable wittle puppy (awwwww). What they’ve given us is a movie-of-the-weekwith an A-level cast.
Audio
The soundtrack is in 5.1 and 2.0. A 5.1 system certainly won’t get much of a workout here.The film is largely dialogue-driven, and there is no distortion on the sound, which is all to thegood. The music, when there is any, has an expansive feel to it. There are virtually no surroundsound effects, though. When present, they very quiet, and there a number of missed opportunities(such as a crowded emergency ward at a hospital).
Video
The colours are very warm, the blacks are deep, and the aspect is 1.78:1 anamorphic. Thereare no edge enhancement problems. There is grain, however, of varying degrees, but it is quitenoticeable in a number of shots. The image is sharp. An acceptable transfer, but don’t go holdinga parade.
Special Features
None.
Closing Thoughts
The films themselves are either mediocre or unspeakable (though in a mesmerizing way).Still, a tip of the hat to MGM for giving even the worst bottom-scraper a widescreentransfer.
