According to Greta Blu-ray delivers great video and solid audio in this enjoyable Blu-ray release
Dumped on her elderly grandparents (Ellen Burstyn and Michael Murphy) for the summer by her neglectful mother, 17-year-old Greta (Hilary Duff) thinks that suicide is the answer to her problems -- until she finds love with a charming short-order cook (Evan Ross). But the romance doesn't sit well with Greta's grandparents, who can't get past her boyfriend's skin color or his criminal record. Melissa Leo plays Greta's thrice-married mom.
Coming-of-age movies are nothing new to the Hollywood scene, and According to Greta is
another in the genre's long lineage, a serviceable all-around picture that might find favor with fans
of the talent involved but will likely leave other viewers with a nonchalance towards the predictable
story arc and generic script but admittedly nicely-developed characters and strong acting. Indeed,
According to
Greta seems but a vehicle for fan-favorite teen star Hillary Duff (War, Inc.) to stretch
her acting limits and preconceived image, but the material's generic tone and prepackaged feel
always seem in the way of the actress' attempts at deeper drama and more emotional and even
heartfelt situations that inevitably and all-too-predictably come like clockwork. Make no mistake,
According to Greta is a solid movie all around, it's just not particularly original or
memorable, two strikes that make an otherwise well-made and nicely acted piece the sort that's
good enough to watch but hardly worthy of additional consideration.
Greta forgot 'suicide run against a heavily-fortified space station.'
Greta (Duff) is sent to live with her grandparents in Ocean Grove, New Jersey while her
mother works out the kinks in her latest marriage. Greta is a girl with a myriad of issues, chief
among them a bad attitude and a death wish. She keeps a journal that lists both an assortment
of
ways to die and a list of things she'd like to do before she removes herself from the worldwide
equation. Her rebellious and me-first attitude rubs her grandmother Katherine (Ellen Burstyn,
Requiem For a
Dream) and her grandfather Joseph (Michael Murphy) the wrong way as they find
themselves constantly at odds with Greta's untraditional and disrespectful attitude. When they
force her to take a summer job, she finds employment as a waitress and meets a young man
named Julie (Evan Ross) with whom she forms a physical and emotional bond. Julie's criminal
record and time in a correctional facility have returned him to the straight and narrow; can he
get Greta back on track, or will she alienate the only friend she has?
According to Greta's highly generalized and basic three-act structure never once yields
even the slightest of surprises, but it makes for a passable film that's not necessarily
entertaining but instead partially meaningful and even perhaps enlightening insofar as
its glimpse into the cinematically hackneyed but nevertheless important world of teenage angst
and rebellion. This is straightforward, by-the-book stuff, the picture playing out with a simple plot
that sees the new clash with the old and the rebel with the traditional. For general film fans this
comes as nothing new and plays out as far from engaging but, at least as it is told here, it is
perhaps relevant to target audiences that might find in Hillary Duff's character a mirror in which
they can see themselves and, far more importantly, the picture might resonate with those
viewers that see little value in what life has to offer, failing to look past rules and regulations and
the confused world of adulthood and instead focus solely on the topsy-turvy here-and-now.
According to Greta
has seemingly been built for a single target audience, and if the film allows that audience to see
beyond their
sturdy bubbles and come to realize the world outside isn't necessarily a bad place, then, just
maybe, the film has served a greater purpose.
Still, According to Greta is the sort of movie that film connoisseurs will likely, and
justifiably, snub, but the picture's problems will likely be overlooked by its intended
audience. Hillary Duff does play the rebellious teenager well enough; she convincingly moves
beyond her pop star image and displays a somewhat deeper level in what is a more demanding
part than a pop princess. She tackles the challenges of a young woman faced with deeply-rooted
rebellious streaks that conflict with a budding maturity very well, and her ability to slowly alter
her outlook on life through both
the sure-handed guidance of her grandparents and, just as important, first-hand experience,
allows the film's message of perseverance and self-worth to shine brightly. Additionally, veteran
actress Ellen Burstyn once again shows why she's one of Hollywood's finest, delivering a
completely seamless performance where she fades into her character, positively becoming
Katherine and leaving behind any semblance of previous roles. Otherwise, According to
Greta's additional characters -- particularly that of Julie -- are but mere necessary additions
through which to maneuver the plot, but they are given suitable performances that might not be
of particular note, but neither do they stand out as in any way substandard.
This Blu-ray release of According to Greta boasts a wonderful 1080p, 1.85:1-framed
transfer. Fine detail is generally exceptional throughout; the rough texture of pavement, Greta's
frayed polka dot hat, small cracks and chipped paint around her grandparents' house, and any
number of other assorted niceties lend to According to Greta a finely-tuned appearance
that
sparkles in most every scene. Additionally, the transfer features a good sense of depth, and the
image retains its strong clarity and definition both near and far. Though contrast appears slightly
boosted, colors are generally pleasing to the eye and not too terribly overblown, and each of the
many shades that make up this abundantly colorful film are nicely rendered on Blu-ray. Flesh
tones, however, do sometimes take on a reddish appearance, but never to a drastic or otherwise
disturbing level. Blacks sometimes appear a slight bit messy and undefined, appearing too bright
and unnatural in many darker or nighttime venues. According to Greta does retain a slight
layer of grain that completes what is generally a handsome film-like transfer.
According to Greta debuts on Blu-ray with a healthy but not particularly engaging Dolby
TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Satisfactory within the confines of its limited sound design,
According to Greta translates nicely enough to Blu-ray with no discernible hiccups but no
noteworthy moments, either. Reserved and clear, the track reproduces music, dialogue, and sound
effects with acceptable precision. The surround speakers are used sparsely in support of music and
light atmospherics. Chirping birds and distant traffic often lend a tinge of realism to the
proceedings, but there are no head-turning or over-pumped effects to speak of. Musical
presentations are rather bland, lacking in overpowering volume but offering suitable clarity; a few
more aggressive beats do flow more noticeably into the back channels. Also featuring sound
dialogue reproduction, According to Greta sounds just fine within its limited confines, and
listeners expecting nothing more than a soundtrack that offers the mere essentials should be
pleased enough with this effort.
According to Greta's Blu-ray release comes with but a few minor extras. Greta: Behind
the Scenes (1080i, 18:39) is a basic piece that touches the surface of the film's themes,
explores the performances of the cast with emphasis on Duff's and Burstyn's performances and
careers, and examines the contributions of the crew. The piece is assembled with the obligatory
interview snippets, clips from the film, and raw behind-the-scenes footage. Also included is a
collection of deleted and alternate scenes (1080i, 7:17) and an alternate ending (1080i, 1:34).
A film with purpose but also a narrow audience, According to Greta may find meaning with
younger audiences coping with issues similar to those that have come to define the life of its lead
character, but viewers watching from a wholly
detached perspective will find little beyond the surface that's worth the effort. Actress Hillary Duff
delivers a suitably good performance as an issue-ridden teenager, and while her journey is of the
paint-by-numbers variety, it still may have merit amongst viewers her age, towards whom the film
is
geared. This latest Blu-ray release from Starz does the movie justice, sporting a fine 1080p picture
quality, a good lossless soundtrack, but only a few filler extras. Worth a rental for fans of the cast or
those struggling with problems akin to those plaguing the lead character.
Anchor Bay Entertainment has announced that they will bring the Hilary Duff teenage drama 'According to Greta' to Blu-ray on January 19th. For this film, Duff plays a suicidal teen whose new love interest quickly changes her outlook on life. Video will be presented ...
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