Director
Martin Breast

Cast
Al Pacino,
Chris O'Donnel

Music
Thomas Newman

I have to admit I have a thing for Al Pacino movies. He plays a fabulous character but not his generic style.

Lieutenant Colonel Slade (Al Pacino) is a lonely old blind man who finds comfort in Charlie Simms (Chris O’Donnel) when his family go away for thanksgiving weekend. Charlie is hired to look after the blind Colonel Slade for a couple of days. The Colonel who is curt and abrupt bewilders him, and gives orders like any military man would. Charlie’s ideas of a quiet thanksgiving weekend at the house looking after the Colonel are shattered when he finds out that he is planning an action packed couple of days in New York.

The Colonel plans to fulfil everything to make him happy on what he determines to be his last days alive. Charlie is reluctant to participate but Colonel Slade has a convincing manner, which keeps Charlie hot on his heels, as his guide around New York.

In the background to all the excitement, Charles is having some problems of his own. He is faced with quite a dilemma at the defined Baird boarding school he attends on a scholarship. Charlies has been witness to a vandalism act and is being blackmailed by the principal to snitch on his fellow classmates.

This is another angle attacked by the Colonel over the couple of days he spends with Charlie. He gives good advice and Charlie takes notice of his every word.

I can’t say too much more without spoiling the ending for those who haven’t seen this film so all I will do is let you read on.

Al Pacino who won an Academy Award for this film has excelled once again. I did find his portrayal of a blind man a little off putting at times though. For the entire film he never looks in the direction of which he is talking which seems to be a little over-exaggeration of the character. I also found one instance where he seemed to slip up and look directly at someone. He does the tango with a young lady in a restaurant, and appears towards the end of the dance to look at her to catch her. (Maybe I’m wrong) Chris O’Donnell also plays a convincing supporting role as the meek and mild young man on a life learning experience.

So How Does This Transfer Hold Up?

VIDEO
The transfer is sadly only 4x3 Letterboxed and NOT 16x9 enhanced as displayed on the packaging. I could pick the transfer to pieces but I won’t go overboard. The clarity was nice and detailed and the colour is nothing short of beautiful. There is no hint of oversaturation and the colours are warm and full of life for the entire film. Shadow detail was good but could have been marginally improved at times. The layer change at 70.40 was barely noticeable and one of the best I have seen.

Now we get to the not so good bits. I was distressed by the amount of shimmering and ailiasing in this film. Any scene that could even minimally show shimmering or ailiasing did. It became difficult to find scenes without it. Most annoying was the plaid suits worn by Colonel Slade, which shimmered away continually. This has to be one of the worst cases I have seen. I would even go so far as to say it was worse than "The Mummy".

AUDIO
The Dolby 2.0 surround audio was a much better affair. Primarily a dialogue driven film there wasn’t a lot of use of the surrounds or base, but they were used often enough to create an ambience in the room. The front sound stage is used effectively and the dialogue is always very clear. There weren’t really any great highlights to the audio, but I did find it consistent and enjoyable.

The musical score from Thomas Newman was rich and mature and the repetitive nature was quite effective. Repetitive scores normally annoy me where you get the same tune over and over slightly modified each time. But this one was effective and enveloping. The film would be lost without it.

EXTRAS
Extras are again scarce from Columbia. The theatrical trailer is missing a little quality too it but is still good and the Filmmakers and production notes are informative but not exciting. Nice menu, getting a little tired of the same old selection icons though.

Overall I was impressed with the film, the acting and the audio. Unfortunately I have to say that the transfer and the extras are a big let down. Anyone who is a Pacino fan will enjoy it anyway.

Review Equipment
TV: GE 68cm (16:9 selectable)
DVD: Samsung DVD907 (via S-Video)
Receiver/Proc: Sansui A505/Sony Amp & Yamaha DSP-E390
Speakers:-
Fronts: Wharfdale Diamond R6 (on a pair of custom made stands you'd KILL for)
Centre: Venturi
Rears: Sony bookshelf

- Reviewed 15th February 2000