WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Caro Diario (Dear Diary)
Genre:Comedy

Reviewed In Issue 14 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Nanni Moretti, Renato Carpenteri, Antonio Neiwiller.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 4.5
Sound Rating: 3.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): New Line Home Video
(Catalog Number): ID2996LI
(MPAA Rating): Not Rated
(Retail Price): $$39.99
(Running Time In Minutes): 100
(Color Type): Color With Black & White Sequences
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1994
(LD Release Date): 3/1/95
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Nanni Moretti
(Screenplay/Written By): Nanni Moretti
(Story): NA
(Music): Nicola Piovani
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): NA
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Mirco Garrone
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Angelo Barbagallo, Nanni Moretti & Nella Banfi

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.66:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.66:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Mono Sound
(Theatrical Sound): Optical Mono
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital): No
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Caro Diario (Dear Diary) won the Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1994. The film, comprised in three vignettes, features the director Nanni Moretti as himself and is related from his point of view and insight. Driving his Vespa he takes us first on a journey to the neighborhoods of Rome, while commenting on the inhabitants and their lives in his comedic way. Later Moretti takes a vacation with his old friend to the secluded islands of the Mediterranean, and we see that each island’s inhabitants are drawn together with their shared obsessions before his TV addicted friend can take no more. The last darkly humorous story concerns his own experience with the medical profession in his search for treatment. An intriguing offbeat film.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture is matted at 1.66:1, the European aspect ratio standard. Images are de-tailed and sharp and the picture exhibits vivid colors, good color fidelity, and natural fleshtones. This is a fine looking transfer with but minor artifacts and slight grain and noise.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
While the soundtrack recording is enjoyable the sound is undistinguished mono. The music score is terrific, however, especially the solo piano interludes.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
(Aggressive System Surround): No
(Intense 25Hz Bass): No
(Deep Bass Challenging): No
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield): No
(Aggressive Split Surround): No
(Center Back Surround Imaging): No
(Directionalized Dialogue): No
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: