...projects a coldly composed, alarming, yet singularly humorous quality that few thrillers even attempt.
The film almost entirely revolves around the Hilditch and Felicia characters, so it's essential that the actors convince us of their portrayals. Hoskins is as good here as he has ever been in any previous film. His understated performance is chillingly menacing, by turns affecting and macabre. Ms. Cassidy is so natural in her depiction of the innocent, confused Irish girl that we are persuaded to believe she is not acting at all.
In telling his story, the director moves effortlessly from the present to the past and back again. For the first few minutes of the film, we assume it's a period piece set in the fifties. But it is Hilditch who is still living in the fifties, his house a virtual museum of fifties memorabilia from the years his mother was a famous cooking-show host. Hilditch's past, remembered as pieces of video tape, is evoked by background music of the era; Felicia's present is accompanied by haunting Irish folk tunes.
The story moves slowly, perhaps too slowly for some viewers, before reaching a surprising, almost comical climax that reinforces the notion that coincidence is an essential part of any life, be it real or cinematic.
Video:
The film's original Panavision scope is largely preserved in Artisan's 2.13:1 ratio transfer. The picture quality in this fine-grained reproduction is excellent throughout, with color bleed at a minimum. Hues are bright and deep and persuasively natural.
Audio:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is also persuasively lifelike, very widely spread across the front channels and well dispersed in the rear for maximum ambient effect. The audio does nothing spectacular, mind you, it's not that kind of film, but it conveys a sense of "being there" in all the right places.
Extras:
In terms of bonus features, the disc has a plentiful number. The major items are a director's commentary with Atom Egoyan; an isolated musical score, the use of which I have never come to understand or appreciate on any disc; a seven-minute featurette on the making of the film; and, most important, interviews with the director and stars. The interviews reflect the filmmakers' feelings on what the story and its characters are all about. Interestingly, Hoskins sees Hilditch as "kind of creepy," while Egoyan sees him as funny. Then there are cast and crew biographies and filmographies; production notes; Hilditch's video library, mostly lifted from the film itself; some of Hilditch's favorite recipes, another bizarre and amusing touch; thirty-two scene selections; two theatrical trailers; and four TV spots.
Parting Thoughts:
"Felicia's Journey" will disappoint viewers expecting bigger-than-life, Jack-the-Ripper, Hannibal Lecter-type villains. The film contains no physical violence whatsoever, little action, and only a modicum of tension or suspense. It relies on atmosphere, mood, characterization, and mental anguish for its chills. In essence, it relies on two very fine actors in the lead roles. The movie is different, and as such it is worth a look.
In telling his story, the director moves effortlessly from the present to the past and back again. For the first few minutes of the film, we assume it's a period piece set in the fifties. But it is Hilditch who is still living in the fifties, his house a virtual museum of fifties memorabilia from the years his mother was a famous cooking-show host. Hilditch's past, remembered as pieces of video tape, is evoked by background music of the era; Felicia's present is accompanied by haunting Irish folk tunes.
The story moves slowly, perhaps too slowly for some viewers, before reaching a surprising, almost comical climax that reinforces the notion that coincidence is an essential part of any life, be it real or cinematic.
Video:
The film's original Panavision scope is largely preserved in Artisan's 2.13:1 ratio transfer. The picture quality in this fine-grained reproduction is excellent throughout, with color bleed at a minimum. Hues are bright and deep and persuasively natural.
Audio:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is also persuasively lifelike, very widely spread across the front channels and well dispersed in the rear for maximum ambient effect. The audio does nothing spectacular, mind you, it's not that kind of film, but it conveys a sense of "being there" in all the right places.
Extras:
In terms of bonus features, the disc has a plentiful number. The major items are a director's commentary with Atom Egoyan; an isolated musical score, the use of which I have never come to understand or appreciate on any disc; a seven-minute featurette on the making of the film; and, most important, interviews with the director and stars. The interviews reflect the filmmakers' feelings on what the story and its characters are all about. Interestingly, Hoskins sees Hilditch as "kind of creepy," while Egoyan sees him as funny. Then there are cast and crew biographies and filmographies; production notes; Hilditch's video library, mostly lifted from the film itself; some of Hilditch's favorite recipes, another bizarre and amusing touch; thirty-two scene selections; two theatrical trailers; and four TV spots.
Parting Thoughts:
"Felicia's Journey" will disappoint viewers expecting bigger-than-life, Jack-the-Ripper, Hannibal Lecter-type villains. The film contains no physical violence whatsoever, little action, and only a modicum of tension or suspense. It relies on atmosphere, mood, characterization, and mental anguish for its chills. In essence, it relies on two very fine actors in the lead roles. The movie is different, and as such it is worth a look.
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[release]4328[/release]