Chloe Blu-ray delivers stunningly beautiful video and great audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
Catherine and David, she a doctor, he a professor, are at first glance the perfect couple. Happily married with a talented teenage son, they appear to have an idyllic life. But when David misses a flight and his surprise birthday party, Catherine's long simmering suspicions rise to the surface. Suspecting infidelity, she decides to hire an escort to seduce her husband and test his loyalty. Catherine finds herself 'directing' Chloe's encounters with David, and Chloe's end of the bargain is to report back, the descriptions becoming increasingly graphic as the meetings multiply.
For more about Chloe and the Chloe Blu-ray release, see the Chloe Blu-ray Review published by Martin Liebman on July 14, 2010 where this Blu-ray release scored 4.0 out of 5.
I can become your living, breathing, unflinching dream.
Mystery. Emotion. Sex. Pain. Tragedy. These are the hallmark elements of Director Atom
Egoyan's (Adoration) latest
work of art, Chloe.
Chloe is classic Egoyan; it's another independent low-budget stunner of a motion picture
from the director, the movie jaw-droppingly crafted with an effortlessness and ease
that seems to erase the boundary between film and audience. Egoyan demonstrates here and in
his
other films an uncanny ability to immerse his viewers into a story, no matter the specifics of the
plot. Whether painful drama, alluring eroticism, or unnerving intrigue, Egoyan finds the perfect
balance in his films, engaging his audience and inviting them into his stories rather than simply
showing his viewers a series of related images that just so happen to construct a fictional premise
with a traditional beginning, middle, and end three-act structure. Chloe isn't a perfect
movie, though; its
ending feels like a rushed afterthought that isn't befitting the rest of the film, and in lesser hands,
it could have ruined the entire experience. In Egoyan's,
though, it seems more like an inconvenience rather than a deal breaker. There's so much good
about Chloe that it easily trumps the bad, and the film is worth watching if for no other
reason than for the chance to witness one of cinema's premiere craftsmen at work.
A spoon full of sugar helps the seduction go down.
Catherine Stewart (Julianne Moore, A Single Man) is a
well-to-do gynecologist, married to college professor David Stewart (Liam Neeson, Batman Begins). When
David fails to return home in time for a surprise birthday party, Catherine is disappointed, but her
disappointment turns to suspicion when she begins to believe that he's become distant and absent
from home more than she'd like because he's chosen to become an unfaithful husband. Catherine
has a chance encounter with a prostitute named Chloe (Amanda Seyfried, Mamma Mia!), and she
ultimately approaches Chloe with a proposition: catch the eye her husband and find out whether
he
can remain faithful. Chloe does as she's paid to do and reports back that their singular encounter
has turned into several, each becoming more sexually charged than the previous, culminating in
explicit sexual acts between David and a girl he barely knows. As Catherine becomes more upset,
she finds herself drawn closer to Chloe's allure, leading to a situation that quickly spirals out of
control, revealing mistrusts, deceptions, falsehoods, and dangerous physical and emotional
elements with longterm repercussions for all involved.
Chloe is a picture of contrasts that serve to visually, thematically, emotionally, and even, it
seems -- by way of both abstract and unspoken suggestion -- surreptitiously play with the
audience's concept of where the film is going, what it means, who is who, and how the story will
play out. Most obvious is the contrast between Chloe and Catherine. Catherine's a highly
intelligent woman with a keen insight into the human psyche; she's a doctor that treats women's
most intimate areas and no doubt, as demonstrated by one scene, learns of and discusses their
deepest personal secrets. Physically, she's the definition of homely, with pale skin, freckles, a
comparatively flat figure, and showing her age. On the other hand is Chloe, a young, spry, shapely
girl; it would seem the only thing she shares with Catherine is her intimate knowledge of the
human body and the unabashed way she speaks of it, though she does so with a different purpose
and allure. It's the back-and-forth between these two
characters that defines the film; Egoyan and Screenwriter Erin Cressida Wilson create a dynamic
whereby the audience becomes completely absorbed into the story and buys everything that's said
and done at face value, only to have identities shattered, realities altered, and audience
perceptions fooled several times over from beginning to end. Moore and Seyfried completely
disappear into their respective parts, with Moore in particular admirably going through the film
appearing haggard, tired, angry, and on the verge of tears while still retaining an eroticism that
heightens the film and sells its topsy-turvy second half.
Additionally, Chloe builds itself on further contrasts that seem less obvious on the
surface but certainly
enhance the strength of the story. This is a film of mystery, of lies, of deceit, of distrust, of
confused identities, of mistaken priorities, of clandestine rendezvous, of unscrupulous actions.
These elements lend an unmistakably dark, closed-in, unwelcoming, and unsure atmosphere. By
contrast, Atom Egoyan creates an atmosphere that's, visually, the opposite of those elements and,
by extension, they manage to counter the negative with an underlying positive. The Stewart's
home is
large but boxy; the open floor plan makes it appear without too many boundaries, while soaring
windows
create a sense of openness not only physically and visually but psychologically. Likewise,
Catherine's gynecological office is itself a relatively large and open structure. An oversized window
allows
a clear line of sight from the waiting room into the office, while the door is solid only about the
frame, while the majority of its interior surface, too, is comprised of glass. For an area where
women go to
share their most intimate problems and personal areas, it's open and inviting to an undeniable
fault. Additionally, almost everything in both the office and the home -- aside from Julianne
Moore's fiery red hair -- is white, from her walls and desk to
her iBook computer. It immediately symbolizes purity and cleanliness at a psychological level,
both, of course -- and the former in particular -- contrary to the picture's overriding elements.
Privacy seems at a premium in both locations by design, even though the movie is about invasions
of privacy
and wanted and unwanted advances into personal spaces. The
symbolism seems clear; everything about the film's environments suggest that this is a world
where secrets cannot exists or where innocence cannot be sacrificed in the name of temptation
and
human fallibility. It shows that nothing in this world is impossible, that looks are most definitely
deceiving, and that nothing can be trusted to remain as it is or do as it promises.
Aside from its thematic and psychological over- and undertones, Chloe works
extraordinarily well from a technical perspective. Egoyan's artistry is undeniable, and to say that
he gets the best out of his actors is an understatement. Moore's and Seyfried's emotional and
physical performances, as noted above, are standouts. They embrace the picture's erotic
elements, even though Chloe is, at its core, much more than an Erotic Thriller. They
handle the picture's explicit and frank sexual dialogue and intimate scenes marvelously, neither
holding anything back while also retaining the picture's primary elements that keep it grounded
firmly as an emotionally-charged dramatic picture with Thriller and Erotica components. Seyfried
proves herself a wonderfully diverse actress, showing a complexity that's absent in lighthearted
fare like Letters to Juliet and
a darker element that's absent even in the emotionally-charged and dramatically-involved Dear John. Liam
Neeson is excellent, too, capturing the film's spirit and playing along wonderfully with all the
curveballs Egoyan throws at the audience. All of it -- the lead cast's performances and the visual
and psychological contrasts that define the picture but also give it something of an uncertain and
uneasy element that's arguably its greatest asset even beyond Egoyan's brilliantly enveloping and
steady direction -- make Chloe a positively intoxicating and highly effective picture that's
often difficult to watch but impossible to resist.
Now that Blu-ray's pretty much gone mainstream and there are dozens or more pristine transfers out
there, it's not often that a superlative like "breathtaking" applies -- particularly among more
independent-minded films -- but Chloe's 1080p,
1.85:1-framed image is just that. There's nothing here that's a visual distraction or blatant flaw;
blacks are wonderful, banding is absent, grain has been left intact, details are scrumptious, colors are
balanced, and the print is free of any tangible blemishes. Indeed, the image is impeccably clear and
detailed to an extent rarely seen even in the upper-tier Blu-ray transfers. Viewers will see with the
utmost clarity and distinction every freckle on Julianne Moore's ghostly white face. Overhead city
shots deliver almost unprecedented levels of detail, particularity when the image is showing paved
streets, sidewalks,
bricks, or clumps of plowed snow. Street-level shots impress, too, where items like worn chain link
fences and the wrinkles and writings on flyers stapled to telephone poles reveal crystal-clear and
abundantly sharp details. Colors are strong, too; whether a vibrant red dress or bright white office
spaces, the transfer never stumbles on its way to delivering brilliantly rich colors. Even flesh tones
appear wonderfully accurate, ranging from Julianne Moore's ghastly pale face to the more balanced
shades as seen on Seyfried and Neeson. Likewise, blacks are incredibly rich, never overpowering the
image and never appearing falsely bright and shallow. Chloe retains a rich and natural grain
structure that puts the finishing touches on a transfer that's about as film-like as Blu-ray seems
currently able to produce. A great film and one of the year's strongest transfers; what's not to love?
Sony escorts Chloe onto Blu-ray with a nicely-realized DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack.
For the most part, this film features a dialogue-heavy presentation; as such, it offers little in the way
of the
system-stretching sound effects and music that are generally reserved for more aggressive Action
pictures. What's here, however, is generally excellent. Music enjoys a strong, flowing, effortless
presentation as it spreads nicely throughout the entire soundstage with a good bit of surround
support. Atmospherics both interior and exterior are generally seamless. A heavy downpour in one
early scene is pleasantly engulfing, with occasional booms of thunder sending a nicely-delivered and
natural rumble through the soundstage. Cars maneuver across the listening area with ease during
several exterior shots, while light background music in a restaurant floats about the soundstage with a
wonderfully soothing and realistic flair. Dialogue never falters in its front-and-center presentation.
Chloe's soundtrack is made of very basic stuff, but Sony's lossless presentation squeezes every
last bit of energy out of what's there, all of it crystal-clear and making for a wonderful accompaniment
to a fantastic movie.
Chloe seduces viewers with a quality supplemental package, headlined by an audio
commentary track with Actress Amanda Seyfried, Director Atom Egoyan, and Writer Erin Cressida
Wilson. The trio deliver a relaxed but engaging commentary that's intelligent and well-spoken; they
discuss the original French film Nathalie on which Chloe is based, character traits,
film
design elements, themes, shooting in Toronto, set design, the picture's score, anecdotes from the
set
(Moore and Seyfried occasionally had to stand on soapboxes next to the much taller Neeson), and
plenty more. This a track that's absorbing and easy to become lost in; fans of the film and the
talent
involved in this track will want to give it a full listen. Introducing 'Chloe:' The Making of 'Chloe'
Directed by Atom Egoyan (1080p, 25:42) features a broad array of cast and crew discussing
the
origins of the picture, its themes, the characters, costumes, shooting locations, the work of Atom
Egoyan, the picture's explicit dialogue and visuals, and more. It's a strong but mostly basic
overview of the picture that serves it well. Also included is BD-Live functionality; two deleted scenes
(1080p, 5:23); the Chloe theatrical trailer (1080p, 2:01); and additional 1080p trailers for
The Runaways, The Square, The
Secret in Their Eyes, A Single Man,
The PIllars of the Earth, A Prophet, Coco Chanel and Igor
Stravinsky, and "Damages."
It's a nice exercise to imagine the films Atom Egoyan might create were he to become a
top-flight, high-paid director of big-budget studio films, but then reality sets in: why mess with a
great thing? He's proven himself so
capable in his niche -- small budget, independent-minded, and complexly-woven and
precisely-assembled pictures on both visual and psychological levels -- that it would be almost
criminal to ask him to be anything more, to do anything
else, to ask him to be someone he's not. Simply stated, his movies are genius, soft and elegant
living
organisms that flow with an effortlessness that few, if any, directors can match. His films are a
pleasure
to
behold, even if certain plot elements don't always hold up. That's the case with Chloe; the
ending feels out of place, but the rest of the film is so intoxicating that it's easy to forget the choppy
conclusion in favor of everything else the film has to offer, like the wonderful performances from
Neeson, Moore, and Seyfried, which are just icing on the cake. Still, Chloe isn't for
everyone. It's
more of a connoisseur-type art film than it is a crowd-pleasing blockbuster despite its A-list cast, the
picture building an uneasy
atmosphere and pulling no punches through its blunt language, frank visuals, and unsettling tone.
For the right audience, though, Chloe is a masterpiece of cinematic skill and craftsmanship
on both
sides of the
camera; just don't let the ending ruin an otherwise brilliant effort. Sony's Blu-ray release of
Chloe delivers a perfect 1080p transfer, a strong lossless soundtrack, and a fair assortment
of
extra content. For film aficionados, Atom Egoyan fans, and filmgoers who want to branch out
beyond the typical summer Hollywood fare, Chloe comes highly recommended.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced the Atom Egoyan film Chloe for release on Blu-ray on July 13. This erotic thriller about a jealous wife who hires an escort girl to test the faithfulness of her husband is a remake of Nathalie, a 2004 French movie. ...
