Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Director Abdellatif Kechiche has crafted an engaging, truthful tale of unexpected and tempestuous romance between two young women. At three hours, it explores these characters and their relationship in extraordinary, almost excessive detail, so be warned. The graphic lovemaking scenes have garnered something of a reputation for Blue Is the Warmest Color, but they are in service to a powerful story of wild emotion. Despite dozens of international awards, including the top prize at Cannes, this one was hard to find in theaters here in the States, so this Blu-ray is especially welcome.

Title notwithstanding, the blues are not particularly warm, and the abundant fleshtones are spot-on. All of the colors are punchy, and the 2.35:1 image is remarkably crisp. We can readily tell, for example, that the ladies go sans makeup. This is actually one of the best-looking independent films I’ve seen from 2013. But the French-language DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, while not problematic, is in no way distinguished. There are no real extras, but a later, more elaborate special edition has been promised.