Staff Review - Blow Dry

[Tsargrad]

Roadshow Entertainment

Blow Dry

Release Date: February 19, 2003
Rating: M 15+
RRP: Rental Only

DISC FEATURES AND SPECS:

Theatrical Trailer

Scene Access

Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1

Subtitles: English for the hearing impaired

Aspect: 1.85:1 Widescreen, 16:9 enhanced

Running Time: 86:37 minutes

CAST:
Alan Rickman, Natasha Richardson, Rachel Leigh Cook, Josh Hartnett & Rachel Griffiths
DIRECTED BY: Paddy Breathnach

FROM THE BACK COVER:
The annual British hair championships are heading for small town, Keighley and the competition is to dye for! Yes, the country’s best are lined up, to ready, set, blow their opponents away. All, except former champion and local hairdresser, Phil Allen (Alan Rickman – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone).
He dropped out of the competition circuit ten years ago when his wife, Shelly (Natasha Richardson – The Parent Trap) deserted him and his son, Brian (Josh Hartnett – Black Hawk Down) and ran off with Phil’s hair model, Sandra (Rachel Griffiths – The Hard Word). For Phil, it’s been nothing but bad hair days ever since… That, however, could all be about to change. Shelly is determined to mend her relationship with Phil and Brian and a good cut and colour may be just what the hairdresser needs!
Prepare for matching mullets, pragmatic perms, spectacular streaks and lots of hair-dos, and don’ts as the hairdressers of Britain take up the challenge to be a-head of the rest, in BLOW DRY!


AUDIO/VISUAL:
Audio:
Blow Dry has been given the fully Dolby Digital 5.1 treatment. Due to Blow Dry being a largely dialogue based film I was not expecting much of a work out for the audio.
The subwoofer for example was only used for the soundtrack. To be fair this was the only opportunity it had. Within the first seconds of music being played in the film we were hit with some great ‘thump’ from the subwoofer. A few more opportunities did exist throughout the film – just don’t expect it to be used as much as an action film.
The surrounds were not called upon often, and were only used during the soundtrack. All the channels were used and were distinct from each other so the surrounds were used as best as they could.
A great mix of tunes in the soundtrack including some synthesized beats, pop music and a great rock tune “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”, which is brilliantly positioned in the film.
Overall the audio is as best as it can be. The film is not one which will make your audio work overtime, but as the film is a combination comedy / drama, this is fine.

Video:
I am quite impressed overall with the quality of the video. There was not much to complain about.
Only one or two examples of grain appear during the film. These examples of grain are rather noticeable but mainly due to the excellent presentation elsewhere.
A few film artefacts, in the form of those annoying black specks appear early on, but nothing alarming.
Considering this film is a quirky British comedy / drama, with a smaller budget than big Hollywood Blockbusters, I did not expect such a terrific transfer – and was pleased for the surprise.
Blow Dry is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and is anamorphic.
The disc is presented on a single layer DVD and, therefore there was no layer change.
Overall the video presentation is excellent, and just slightly shy of reference quality.


EXTRA FEATURES:
Theatrical Trailer-
Running for a total of 1:27 minutes this trailer is presented in a full frame aspect ratio. Interestingly the audio is in Dolby Digital 5.1. This trailer does not do the film justice and focuses more on the comedy side of the film. If I saw the trailer first I probably would not be keen to see the film.

MY MEMORABLE MOMENT FROM THIS DVD:
The script is my most memorable moment. The comedy is funny, and the drama is dramatic. Topping it off with one of the best British actors in Alan Rickman, what more could anyone ask for.

OVERALL:
Blow Dry is an excellent DVD, and I thoroughly recommend everyone watching it, as you will not be sorry.
The marketing approach seems to flog the film off as a Josh Hartnett, Rachel Leigh Cook love comedy – but the film is more about the characters played by Alan Rickman, Natasha Richardson and Rachel Griffiths.
Blow Dry will be available to rent on 19th February 2003 – so be at your local rental store that evening and grab a copy for the night.

Rating out of 5
VIDEO QUALITY	4.5
AUDIO QUALITY	4.75
EXTRAS	1
THE MOVIE	5
OVERALL	4.25