Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)
Company: Twilight Time
Starring: Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals,
Don Cheadle, Maury Chaykin, Terry Kinney
My Review and Thoughts:
Film: 4/5
This has all the trademarks of a Film Noir in this neo-noir murder mystery.
It’s thick with plot, wonderful acting, and a tight direction that gives a solid
storybook execution that leads the viewer into this 1948 thriller set in Los
Angeles.
When going into a neo-film noir, meaning a modern movie using new
elements, but set in the time period of film making know as Film Noir. Sadly
something that I see happening this day and age, in this modern movie generation, is they have no idea what film noir is. I find myself having to explain this
style of film making more and more often. So for you all reading this that
don’t know what film noir is, Film Noir is basically describing a crime drama.
Most of these where high on doses of attitudes that mainly consisted of a bleak representation
of people. Also doses of sexual undertones. Film Noir had a style of low light,
visual black and white, and compositions that are unbalanced in imagery. There is a
huge visual reality to film noir.
In most movie circles this style is prominent, from the years 1940 and into 50’s. Usually there is a private eye, or a police
officer who dresses in plain clothes. Sometimes they consisted of average
people brought into an element of crime. An ageing individual. People who followed
the law, but ends up, smack in the middle of some criminal reality. Other times, a
helpless victim. Most always a damsel in distress, or a Vixen, and Black Widow. The originals
where always in black and white, color came later, but the majority of the
originals are considered by most, from the 40’s to 50’s.
Film Noirs have been made throughout
the years, bleeding the classic doses of nostalgia and originality. Now there
is a huge debate, angry conversations, and downright bickering by fans of this
style. Some are set in their ways, and only accept certain films, and definitions of what classifies as a film noir. It’s almost like Star Wars
and Star Trek fans in this style of fandom.
So getting back to the point which is the review of this neo-noir, meaning a modern day film noir. A movie that has the elements of a
classic film noir that uses modern elements, technology, and so on.
Devil in a
Blue Dress is that prime example of Neo-noir film. It has all the trademarks of
a classic Film Noir. This is in color, but you still get that unbalanced filming, and darkened shadowed moments by playing with lighting.
This stars one of the greatest living actors, Denzel
Washington. A truly gifted and prominent personality in crafted excellence in
film. He has grown over the years as a force in Hollywood. Even his lesser
examples of films, he shines, just the same as if he was a part of some huge
budget film. No matter what he plays in, I am fascinated, and never bored.
Washington plays Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins. He is a veteran
from World War 2. The time period is 1948. He was laid off from work as an aircraft
manufacturer. To make ends meet he becomes a private investigator. He has no
training in this job description, but goes about the process. Now something that
needs to be mentioned is the automatic narrative to begin the film. Noirs would usually
have narration in spots, or at the opening of the film, where your main
character, would open the story. In this film the movie begins with Easy Rawlins
stating: "A man once told me that when you step
out of your door in the morning, you're already in trouble. The only question
is, are you on top of that trouble or not?"
Easy’s friend Joppy introduces DeWitt Albright to Easy.
DeWitt is looking for a particular white woman named Daphne Monet who is
missing. Easy learns that Daphne is the girlfriend to a rich man named Todd
Carter. Easy is offered 100 dollars to find Daphne. Soon the spiraling plot
leads Easy into a world of crime, gangsters, and all the trademarks you would
expect in film noir.
DeWitt is played by Tom Sizemore. I am not a huge fan of Sizemore, but his character in this works. Daphne is played by the
beautiful Jennifer Beals. Todd Carter is played by Terry Kinney. The whole cast
is a wonderful flowing film of expertise in the art of performing in film.
Washington is as dynamic in this film as all his others. He creates, and treats
the viewer to a memorable character that slowly grows on you. Something to keep
an eye out for, is the character of Moose Alexander, who is played by the
amazing actor Don Cheadle. Both Cheadle, and Washington are perfection. I have
to say 100 percent that Cheadle own's his part, and his character is the best part
of the film. Also the fantastic Maury Alan Chaykin stars in Devil in the Blue
Dress. I have been a huge fan of his work my whole life. He was one of those
actors that deserved all the accolades he could get. It’s so sad that he passed
away in 2010 at the young age of 61.
This was written and directed by Carl Franklin. This is
based on the book by the same name, written by author Walter Mosley. Franklin
throughout his career has been an actor, writer, director, and producer. He has
captured some interesting films under his belts. He directed the 1992 thriller
One False Movie, which was co-written by actor, director Billy Bob Thornton. He
directed the wonderful drama, 1998’s One True Thing. He also joined again with
Washington for the 2003 film, Out of Time. He has also directed a lot of
television, including, House of Cards, Homeland, The Affair. He has a
unique style of direction that focuses on the actors, and the execution of the
storyline which can be seen in the filming of Devil in a Blue Dress.
Now on a side note if you have never read any of Walter
Ellis Mosley’s books, then I plead that you do so. He is a fantastic writer that
gives pure entertainment through his imagination. And that’s where the reality
is all the better, is if you like the character of, Easy Rawlins you can
continue his mystery adventures, because Mosley has written a series of books
using this character.
Devil in a Blue Dress is a film not for everyone, but for
those lovers of Film Noir, good acting, and a mysterious plot, then I feel it’s a
must. Twilight Time did a fantastic job at bringing this film to a new generation, on a lovingly new outlet to experience it.
Audio/Video: 5/5
I still own my VHS copy and DVD. So I was happy this was coming to Blu-ray so I could see it in a new fresh way. Twilight Time did a great job in transferring this. The colors are vibrant and crisp, right along with the audio. The wonderful way this movie is filmed in darkened tones, yet with color comes off in a unique visual reality. The transfer to blu-ray show cases that unique classic Film Noir lightning in great detail. Fantastic in the audio and video.
LANGUAGE: English
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 1.85:1
AUDIO: English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English 2.0 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English SDH
Extras: 3/5
Isolated Score Track. This is another example of a golden
ticket for Twilight Time special features. I am a huge music lover, and
something I love is music scores, and that is why I look forward to this
special feature. The man behind the music score is a
genius of talent Elmer Bernstein. Anyone who is a movie lover should know his tunes. From
hundreds, upon hundreds of films and TV. He has given his talent. From the great
movies like The Magnificent Seven, To
Kill a Mocking Bird, Ghostbusters, The Ten Commandments, The Man with
the Golden Arm, The Great Escape, just to name a few. Over 50 years he supplied
the beauty of ear candy. Also he was nominated for an amazing 14 Academy
Awards. His music is still being used today on soundtracks. His legend lives
on. Twilight Time honored this music master with this special feature, that is a
must listen. He had many styles of music in composing, to Jazz, and so
much more. A true mastery that shall never be forgotten. Sadly he is no longer
with us, but his music lives, and this special features showcases that.
Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Carl Franklin. A great
listen. Hearing Franklin talk about the film, is a must listen, to any fan of
this film. Very informative.
Don Cheadle Screen Test. This was great. Cheadle’s performance
in this film is the golden ticket of character and acting. I think he deserved
an award. Truly a shining moment in cinema that sadly has been overlooked.
Original Theatrical Trailer
Overall:
Another wonderful Blu-ray product by Twilight Time. A 90’s
film, using a classic reality for its execution. A modern day Film Noir, with excellent
acting. Twilight Time did another lovely job, and created a product that deserves to be bought, owned, and watched. Some good extra feature, and a
solid example of a beautiful HD transfer.
INFO:
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beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.
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