The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)

[javi92]

A new transfer would have been nice, but for an older master this looks pretty good. Will have to pick up in my next haul.

[maely]

Are we aware of any PQ/screencap comparisons between the French blu-ray release and the new Universal release? The last time I watched the French release, I thought it looked stunning (which is certainly not what I am hearing re: Universal here...)

[lolwut]

Definitely waiting for a price drop given the PQ.

[MikeZ.]

Originally Posted by MikeZ.

For only $11.97, an upgrade was a no-brainer for me.

Originally Posted by lolwut

Definitely waiting for a price drop given the PQ.

[42041]

Blech. Universal living down to their reputation.
Ah well, not my favorite film from the Coens.

[The Great Owl]

I just finished watching my Universal Blu-ray of The Man Who Wasn't There.

The Blu-ray transfer looks good, and, in fact, it looks really good during many moments. I cannot help thinking, however, that it could look spectacular with a more thorough restoration. That's basically how the cookie crumbles here. I'm impressed with this disc, but there's a "What could have been?" thought in the back of my head. I'd like to imagine that this could have been an incredible presentation of a black-and-white film, but, as it is, it does the trick quite nicely.

It's funny that, as much as I love classic-era film noir, I had never seen The Man Who Wasn't There before, considering that it's an effective homage to the genre, with overt nods to The Asphalt Jungle, The Postman Always Rings Twice, and other such classic-era films noir.

I have an on/off switch when it comes to Coen Brothers films, and, thankfully, The Man Who Wasn't There is one of their films that flicks the switch on. I think that it's one of their best. It's not quite up to the level of No Country For Old Men or Blood Simple, but it sits well alongside Fargo on the shelf in terms of being a neo-noir with contemporary flashes.

[antennahead]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished watching my Universal Blu-ray of The Man Who Wasn't There.

The Blu-ray transfer looks good, and, in fact, it looks really good during many moments. I cannot help thinking, however, that it could look spectacular with a more thorough restoration. That's basically how the cookie crumbles here. I'm impressed with this disc, but there's a "What could have been?" thought in the back of my head. I'd like to imagine that this could have been an incredible presentation of a black-and-white film, but, as it is, it does the trick quite nicely.

It's funny that, as much as I love classic-era film noir, I had never seen The Man Who Wasn't There before, considering that it's an effective homage to the genre, with overt nods to The Asphalt Jungle, The Postman Always Rings Twice, and other such classic-era films noir.

I have an on/off switch when it comes to Coen Brothers films, and, thankfully, The Man Who Wasn't There is one of their films that flicks the switch on. I think that it's one of their best. It's not quite up to the level of No Country For Old Men or Blood Simple, but it sits well alongside Fargo on the shelf in terms of being a neo-noir with contemporary flashes.

Thanks! Mine is on order to replace my French release with the forced subtitles

[MifuneFan]

For an older master it doesn't look bad, but, this should have been reference level, so this is pretty disappointing in that regard.

[Yojimbo68]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

For an older master it doesn't look bad, but, this should have been reference level, so this is pretty disappointing in that regard.

Yes. And a reference level transfer would have brought more attention to this "forgotten" Coen Brother's gem.

[tylergfoster]

re: both the screenshots and the discussion of this among the Coens' work, I am pretty disappointed in this transfer, as this is maybe my favorite of their films. An odd choice, perhaps, but for me the film is one of the ones that showcases every one of their talents: the comedy of Freddy Reidenschneider and Ann talking about

[Show spoiler]UFOs

, a sweetness in the way Ed views Birdie (even if she misunderstands that interest, drama in the arc of Ed's wife, and incredible suspense, in that scene where Ed confronts Dave. It's got wall-to-wall great characters, great performances, the dialogue has plenty of their usual snap, and it's one of their most gorgeous movies. I'll buy the disc, but those screenshots are a bummer.

[Monterey Jack]

Finally ordered this from BB...my HD Coen collection is nearing completion. Now, if we could just get The Ladykillers on Blu...

[gattotimo]

Originally Posted by maely

Are we aware of any PQ/screencap comparisons between the French blu-ray release and the new Universal release? The last time I watched the French release, I thought it looked stunning (which is certainly not what I am hearing re: Universal here...)

I second this: the forced subs wouldn't be an issue since I can remove them, all I care about is the PQ