WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Mrs. Parker And The Vicious Circle
Genre:Drama

Reviewed In Issue 14 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Jennifer Jason Leigh, Matthew Broderick, Campbell Scott.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 2.5
Sound Rating: 2.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): New Line Home Video
(Catalog Number): ID3000LI
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $$39.99
(Running Time In Minutes): 124
(Color Type): Color With Black & White Sequences
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1994
(LD Release Date): 4/1/95
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Alan Rudolph
(Screenplay/Written By): Alan Rudolph & Randy Sue Coburn
(Story): NA
(Music): Mark Isham
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Rrançois Séguin
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Suzy Elmiger
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Scott Bushnell & Ira Deutchman
(Co-Producers): Allan Nicholls
(Producers): Robert Altman

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.32:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Mrs. Parker And The Vicious Circle chronicles author Dorothy Parker and the 1920’s Algonquin Hotel’s Round Table, a group of wits and artisans that defined the heyday of New York sophistication. Jennifer Jason Leigh plays the part of Mrs. Parker with dazzling perfection in her portrayal of this caustic and troubled character. The heyday of the Round Table featured humorist Peter Benchley a life-long friend, newspaperman Charles MacArthur, her lover, and various famous novelists, playwrights and authors as the movie captures the roles they played in the culture of their time. A preceding 48 minute documentary traces the life of Dorothy Parker through recollections of those who knew her and her words.

LaserDisc Picture:
The scope picture is framed at 2.32:1. There appears to be a sepia hued veil to the picture, but otherwise there is a pleasing naturalness for an overall soft look.Fleshtones are generally not accurate and noise permeates throughout.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack is almost entirely mono with a limited stereo music score.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: