We first meet Holly and Michelle in the 70s, when they are 13 and already inseparable friends. They are very different already, though. Holly is bookish and shy. Michelle is beautiful and wild. Over the years, their relationship is tested as they clash, support and sabotage each other. The significant male characters are Kyle Maclachlan as a professor they both have an affair with, and Michelle’s brother, for whom Holly carries a torch through the years.
Audio
The sound is strong and clear, and gets the job done without being a mind-blowing experience. The music comes through nicely, without overwhelming the dialogue, and the latter is free of distortion. The rear speaker presence of the sound effects is okay, but the experience is a ways from being immersive. At the same time, that is not an experience called for by this character piece.
Video
The picture is something of a disappointment. The colours are fine, and though they might appear a bit drab, this is clearly a stylistic decision (a flashback moment shifts into ultra-bright warmth, and the contrast is both marked and effective). There are some grainy shots however, but the big problem is the fullscreen format. The cropping does serious damage to the compositions. Even the credits (which are shown partly letterboxed at 1.78:1) get sliced and diced to the point of frequent illegibility, and the important shots of the two girls side by side are mutilated beyond recognition.
Special Features
A scored menu and the trailer are all that is on offer here.
Closing Thoughts
A good film, with fine performances, but the picture ratio seriously impairs the viewing enjoyment.
