Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Sony Movie •••½ Picture/Sound •••• Extras ••

Easily one of last year's best movies, Michael Haneke's drama of a Parisian family thrown into turmoil by a series of threatening videos and drawings is a disquieting parable of how racism takes on a life of its own. The film's hyperrealistic visual style is conveyed here in a razor-sharp picture that's highly detailed, even in deep-focus shots and night exteriors. You can see not only the lines in star Daniel Auteuil's face but also the creases in his jacket. The sound is similarly crisp, with some of the most convincing effects I've ever heard; from offscreen conversations to passing cars, they're mostly placed in the front channels, as the surrounds are rarely used.

Extras include two half-hour documentaries, an interview with Haneke, and a short making-of featurette. All are reasonably informative, and it's interesting to see what a control freak Haneke can be on the set. [R] French, Dolby Digital 5.0; letterboxed (1.78:1) and anamorphic widescreen; dual layer.

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