BLU-RAY REVIEW

Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Featured In Issue 246, December 2019

Picture4.5
Sound4
WSR Score4
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
2349297
(MPAA Rating):
PG-13
(Rating Reason):
Some strong language and drug material
(Retail Price):
$34.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
104
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
11/26/2019
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Richard Linklater
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

Based on the bestseller by Maria Semple, "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" is a comedy about Bernadette Fox (Blanchett), a loving wife and mom who becomes compelled to reconnect with her creative passions after years of sacrificing herself for her family. Bernadette's leap of faith takes her on an epic adventure that jump-starts her life and leads to her triumphant rediscovery. (Gary Reber)

Special features include the featurettes "Bringing Bernadette To Life" (HD 14:47) and "Who Is Bernadette?" (HD 04:57), a gallery, upfront previews and a Movies Anywhere digital code.

The 1.85:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, upconverted to 2160p with greater resolution and luminance, was photographed digitally in anamorphic Panavision® using Panavision cameras and sourced from a 2K master Digital Intermediate format. The picture exhibits very natural imagery throughout. Color fidelity is perfectly hued in both the grayish Seattle set sequences and the Antarctic snow and ice-covered environments. The the white ice scenes in the Antarctic are stunning. Hues throughout pop and exhibit warmth and richness. Fleshtones appear accurate in all settings. Contrast is excellent with deep black levels, good shadow delineation and bright illuminant lighting. Resolution is revealing, especially during close-ups, with mid to background imagery generally soft, though, detail is evident throughout Bernadette's deteriorated Seattle home. Facial features are revealing of fine detail. This is a satisfying and pleasing presentation. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack delivers relatively brief segments of strong surround activity, such as the segments in the frigid waters of Antarctica and the torrential downpours in Seattle. Generally, though, surround energy is subtle. The music serves as a background element with good fidelity but subtle surround extension, except for during the ocean voyage when the music is intense and deep bass energy supports the soundscape. One other instance of intensity is a scene with a mudslide panned through the soundstage and surrounds. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with generally good spatial integration. This is a pleasurable soundtrack that provides effective support to the otherwise dialogue-focused presentation. (Gary Reber)