Lovely & Amazing (2001) |
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Lovely & Amazing (2001) |
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| General | Extras | ||
| Category | Drama |
Main Menu Audio Menu Audio Theatrical Trailer |
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| Rating |
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| Year Of Production | 2001 | ||
| Running Time | 87:18 | ||
| RSDL / Flipper | No/No | Cast & Crew | |
| Start Up | Menu | ||
| Region Coding | 4 | Directed By | Nicole Holofcener |
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Studio
Distributor |
Blow Up Pictures Magna Home Entertainment |
Starring |
Catherine Keener Brenda Blethyn Emily Mortimer Jake Gyllenhaal James LeGros Dermot Mulroney |
| Case | Amaray-Transparent-Secure Clip | ||
| RPI | $34.95 | Music | Craig Richey |
| Video | Audio | ||
| Pan & Scan/Full Frame | None |
English Dolby Digital 5.1 (448Kb/s) English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s) |
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| Widescreen Aspect Ratio | 1.78:1 | ||
| 16x9 Enhancement |
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| Video Format | 576i (PAL) | ||
| Original Aspect Ratio | 1.78:1 | Miscellaneous | |
| Jacket Pictures | No | ||
| Subtitles | None | Smoking | Yes |
| Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
| Action In or After Credits | No | ||
Lovely & Amazing is an interesting drama about a woman and her three daughters, their vanity, self-esteem, their relationships with men, but most of all how they cope with life.
Jane Marks (Brenda Blethyn) has three daughters. Two grown up ones - Michelle (Catherine Keener) and Elizabeth (Emily Mortimer) - and the third an adopted black child called Annie (Raven Goodwin). As the film starts, we discover Jane is about to undergo liposuction surgery to try and look skinnier.
Michelle was the homecoming queen in high school, but as a married mother is struggling to make a meaningful impact in society. She makes decorative little chairs, but struggles to find a shop willing to sell them. Her husband clearly doesn't respect her any more, much less love her.
Elizabeth is a struggling actress who has recently played a bit role in a film. In her spare time, she collects and gives shelter to stray dogs. She is perennially questioning her looks and beauty, and her boyfriend thinks she is too "high maintenance."
Annie is the youngest and has her share of insecurities and neuroses. She is sensitive about her skin colour and wishes she was white, plus has a tendency to over-eat. She loves playing "dead" in swimming pools to try and attract attention.
The film meanders around their lives. Just when you think the film doesn't have a plot, it kind of ties everything together in a loose sort of way. Jane develops an infection after surgery, and we wonder whether she will survive. Each of the daughters handles the news in her own special way, with some interesting consequences.
This is a widescreen 16x9 enhanced transfer, presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The film was originally shot onto high definition video, so presumably this is the intended aspect ratio. The film was transferred on to 35mm film for theatrical release.
The transfer must have been taken from the high definition master, for it is extremely clean and free of artefacts.
Although looking ever so slightly on the soft side, detail levels are good and colours are well presented, though a bit understated.
I noticed some very light low level video noise, particularly in bright backgrounds. Other than that, I did not notice any artefacts.
Unfortunately, there are no subtitle tracks. This is a single sided single layered disc.
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There are two audio tracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1 (448Kb/s), and English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s).
Both tracks are very similar in terms of quality and fidelity. Both sounded okay to my ears, but not striking.
This is a very dialogue focused film, so don't expect any significant use of speakers other than the centre channel. In fact, the only time I noticed the stereo soundstage was for music, and I never really noticed anything coming from the rear speakers. The subwoofer remained inactive throughout the film.
Dialogue was crystal clear throughout and I did not notice any issues with audio synchronization.
The original music score is by Craig Richey and sounds vaguely bluegrass or folksy.
| Dialogue | |
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| Overall | |
The only extra is a theatrical trailer.
The menus are 16x9 enhanced and include background audio.
This is presented in 1.85:1 letterboxed (not 16x9 enhanced) and with Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s) audio.
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
The Region 4 version of this disc misses out on:
The Region 1 version of this disc misses out on:
There is no compelling reason to prefer one version over the other.
Lovely & Amazing is an interesting drama about a mother and her three daughters.
The video transfer quality is good.
The audio transfer quality is acceptable.
The only extra is a theatrical trailer.
| Video | |
| Audio | |
| Extras |  |
| Plot | |
| Overall | |
| Review Equipment | |
| DVD | Panasonic DVD-RP82, using Component output |
| Display | Sony VPL-VW11HT LCD Projector, ScreenTechnics 16x9 matte white screen (254cm). Calibrated with Video Essentials/Ultimate DVD Platinum. This display device is 16x9 capable. |
| Audio Decoder | Built in to amplifier/receiver. Calibrated with Video Essentials/Ultimate DVD Platinum. |
| Amplification | Denon AVC-A1SE (upgraded) |
| Speakers | Front and surrounds: B&W CDM7NT, front centre: B&W CDMCNT, surround backs: B&W DM601S2, subwoofer: B&W ASW2500 |