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Looking for Hortense AKA Cherchez Hortense
R2 - United Kingdom - Arrow Films Review written by and copyright: Samuel Scott (31st October 2013). |
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The Film
 ***This is a technical review only. For reviews on the movie from various critics, we recommend visiting HERE.*** Looking For Hortense is a bittersweet comedie de moeurs that is French in spirit but universal in appeal. Damien (Jean-Pierre Bacri), a Chinese civilization professor, lives with his partner, Iva (Kristin Scott Thomas), a stage director, and their son Noé. The couple's relationship has drifted into routine that has drained it of love. Damien finds himself trapped one day by Iva, who orders him to ask his father, a senior member of the French Council of State, for help in preventing Zorica (Isabelle Carré), a woman Iva knows, from being deported. But Damien and his father don't get on and are barely ever in touch with each other. This dangerous mission throws Damien into a spiral that will turn his life upside down.
Video
Arrow Films releases Looking for Hortense in the original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 which has been anamorphically enhanced. As expected for such a new feature, it looks very good on DVD. Detail is strong, with good clarity and sharpness in background items, and facial close-ups show blemishes and stubble well. Shadow details are not bad, but there is a minor amount of crushing on occasion with the blacks during these moments. Contrast levels are consistent, and although skin tones appear slightly warm from time to time, they generally keep a natural look. Aliasing was practically non-existent and edge enhancement was minimal. I noticed no signs of scratches or dirt in the print, and apart from some small compression artifacts, the transfer was clean. The disc is PAL, and the feature runs 96:13.
Audio
A single audio track has been included and it is French Dolby Digital 5.1. It's very much a dialogue driven film, but the surrounds are used for some subtle effects at various times, mainly to take in the general hustle and bustle of surrounding environments, particularly traffic. This does not happen in every scene - the restaurant scene is surprisingly front heavy and ends up lacking a little atmosphere. The score by Aleksey Aygi is based heavily on a classical style and although the film plays for long periods without music, the score works well and makes good use of the surrounds. Separation is good, as is directionality of the effects, but it never gets close to being reference quality. There were no instances of audio dropouts and I noticed no scratches or any other such damage. Dialogue is clear at all times, volume levels are consistent, and there is no background hiss. English subtitles are included, but they are unfortunately forced.
Extras
Just a start-up trailer for I Wish (1:51).
Overall
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