WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Proposition, The
Genre:Thriller

Reviewed In Issue 31 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Kenneth Branagh, Madeline Stowe, William Hurt, Neil Patrick Harris, Robert Loggia, Josef Sommer, Blythe Danner

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3.5
Sound Rating: 3.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): PolyGram Video
(Catalog Number): ID4499PG
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $39.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 110
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1997
(LD Release Date): 8/98
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Lesli Linka Glatter
(Screenplay/Written By): Rick Ramage
(Story): NA
(Music): Stephen Endelman
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): David Brisbin
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Jacqueline Cambas
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Lata Ryan
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Ted Field, Diane Nabatoff & Scott Kroopf

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1

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

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
The Proposition tells a twisted story about what lengths a wealthy couple will go to to have a child of their own. Because powerful Boston broker and presidential advisor Arthur Barret (William Hurt) is sterile, he recruits Roger Martin (Neil Patrick Harris)—a young Harvard graduate—to impregnate Mrs. Eleanor Barret (Madeline Stowe). But when the young man falls in love with Mrs. Barret, the stage is set for tragic consequences.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture, matted at 1.85:1, is often nicely rendered with rich colors and fleshtones that exhibit a slightly brownish hue, and deep, solid blacks. But imagery, even exteriors, is at times wanting in detail and sharpness, lacking overall clarity. This is especially the case with black resolution. Only occasionally does the picture look completely natural. Shadow delineation is mediocre, and minor noise and artifacts are apparent.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The Dolby® Surround soundtrack is largely monuaral directed in interior scenes though at times subtle soundstage ambience produces spatial presence. The orchestral music score adds fuller stereo imaging, though a bit pulled toward center. Dialogue sounds generally natural with good spatial integration.
(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:
DVD To LaserDisc Comparison: