Ralph Potts reviews this searing and intimate portrait of one of the most important and tragic moments in American history, seen through the eyes of the iconic First Lady, then Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy.
The Review at a Glance:
(max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
83
Details:
Studio and Year: 20th Century Fox – 2016
MPAA Rating: R
Feature running time: 100 minutes
Genre: Drama/Biopic
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC
Video Aspect: 1.66:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Starring: Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup, John Hurt
Directed by: Pablo Larrain
Music by: Mica Levi
Written by: Noah Oppenheim
Region Code: A
Release Date: March 7, 2017
“We Have to March with Him”
My Take:
Natalie Portman stars as First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in this powerful drama that depicts her unimaginable grief and trauma following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. “Jackie’s” faith and strength lead her to a new life with her children, but not before she honors her husband’s remarkable legacy, while leaving her own indelible mark.
At the start of November 22nd, 1963, Jacqueline Kennedy was among the most famed, admired and envied figures in the world. As the elegant, stylish and alluring wife of the youngest-ever elected President of the United States, she was also the original First Lady of the televised age… photogenic, captivating and yet barely-known beneath her near-mythical image of grace, youth and idealism. Yet, within hours, Jackie’s world, along with the faith of the nation, would be shaken from their foundations when John F. Kennedy was struck down by assassin’s bullets while riding at Jackie’s side in a motorcade parade through Dallas.
Jackie takes audiences on a personal journey into one of the most extraordinary events of American history. The film gives a boldly unconventional spin to the biopic genre, mixing historical footage with complete fictional re-creations, excavating just one critical moment in a slice of life portrait, that incorporates its intricately woven layers. I found Jackie to be an interesting composite of the former First Lady. Focusing on just that brief period following the assassination, she had to face unthinkable personal loss, hard political realities, a nation in the throes of a collective trauma and, as the world watched, contend with the responsibility of keeping alive all that her husband wanted to stand for in America.
I thought that Natalie Portman did a terrific job in portraying the pain and struggle of an intensely private person that had to carry such unimaginable weight in the public eye. I liked the fly on the wall perspective as well as the decision to mix in archival footage. I think that Jackie succeeds at drawing from the essence of not only it’s title subject, but presenting a multifaceted view of the political machine that existed at that moment in time. At 100 minutes, it isn’t a long film although it does feel slightly longer than that. I enjoyed Jackie and appreciated the attention to detail that went not only toward the subject matter, but the production design. It was nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Actress, Best Costume Design, and Best Music. All justly deserved in my opinion.
Replay Value:
Parental Guide:
The rating is for brief strong violence and some language.
AUDIO/VIDEO – By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100/EXCELLENT = 83-91/GOOD = 74-82/AVERAGE = 65-73/BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 82
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
Dynamics:
Low frequency effects:
Surround Sound presentation:
Clarity/Detail:
Dialog Reproduction:
DSU/DTS Neural:X Rating * (non-rated element):
Video: 84
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
Resolution/Clarity:
Black Level/Shadow Detail:
Color Reproduction:
Fleshtones:
Compression:
Jackie comes to Blu-ray Disc from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 36 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 3.5 Mbps.
In looking at this video presentation as a whole I found it to be satisfactory, but its stylized elements, which incorporate archival footage, black and white segments and tamped down contrast, don’t make for an eye catching high definition. Shadow detail isn’t definitive however depth of field during low level segments is appreciable. Color balance is good as both primary and secondary are cleanly rendered with a pleasing level of saturation and depth. Skin tones have warm, delineated highlights and lifelike variety. Resolution and clarity is estimable although definition can be a bit inconsistent which leaves some shots appearing flat with the finest gradations obscured. This appears innate and affects both wide angle and close ups. Luckily it isn’t prevalent as more often than not images appear well resolved within the scope of the imagery. A light veneer of grain provides texture however its inconsistent rendering can be a bit distracting. Otherwise the presentation looked solid.
The DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround mix features dialog that is full bodied with defining tonal characteristics and prominent soundstage position. High level detail is readily apparent as subtle sound effects, special cues, and Mica Levi’s hauntingly beautiful music score were rendered with superior clarity and depth. There is little call for active surround activity and deep bass however there is effective use of atmospherics and where called for punchy dynamics that broaden the soundstage. The presentation has an open and balanced presence that helps drive the films thematic elements.
Bonus Features:
(HD) From Jackie to Camelot – 22 minute featurette
(HD) Gallery
Audio Commentary with Director Pablo Larrain and Natalie Portman
(HD) Theatrical Trailer
Bonus DVD
Digital HD Copy
Final Thoughts:
Jackie is a powerful slice of life drama that takes a snapshot of the First Lady as we’ve not seen her: a deeply human, vulnerable woman, confronted at once with the heart wrenching struggle of loss, self-preservation, public consciousness and the need to find a means to balance it all. It comes to Blu-ray from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment featuring faithful high definition video, crystal clear lossless sound, and a light supplemental package. Jackie is worthwhile viewing for genre fans, and deserves a place near the top of your Blu-ray rental queue.
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Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS500 3D/4K Ready High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6-HDR Meter from Spectracal)
Stewart Filmscreen – Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16×9 Screen
Carada Masquerade Electronic Horizontal Masking System
Marantz AV8802A 13.2 Channel Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies – 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
B&K Reference 200.7 Series 2 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo UDP-203 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton “Ergo” and Canton In-Ceiling Series Speakers
SVS Ultra Surrounds (Gloss Finish in Bipolar Configuration)
SVS PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
SVS SB-13 Ultra (Piano Gloss finish)
Panamax M5400-PM Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) – Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components – CP-CP102 cooling package
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