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Map Of The World
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
"Map Of The World" was one of a series of higher profile independent features that seemed to dissapear from theaters quickly in the past year. They've all faced various obstacles, and in this case, the film may have been a hard sell due to its subject matter, but that also has unfortunately kept audiences from seeing a number of great performances, including Sigorney Weaver in one of her best efforts.
Weaver stars as Alice Goodwin, a school nurse who, from the first frame, we would like to take away from the world she lives in. Her two children are fingernails-on-a-blackboard irritating and her husband is a bit "out-of-it". Weaver is almost perfect as a woman who we see is on the cliff and about to step over into depression and worse. Worse unfortunately happens when Alice is watching the two children of her friend Teressa(Julianne Moore), and one of them wanders off and drowns in the nearby pond.
The film has almost two sides; there are a number of positive things to say about the film, and the other half offers a handful of wrong choices. To get the negatives out of the way first, first-time director Scott Elliot lets portions of the film go on a bit too long at times. Some of the characters, such as Alice's husband, are pretty limited and could stand to be a bit more detailed. I haven't read the book, but I have to say that one of Alice's children is so incredibly annoying, at times you expect her head to spin around like some kind of horror film. During the courtroom scenes towards the end of the film, the movie takes some absurd turns that take away from the film.
The positive elements are strong, though. Weaver's performance is natural and very effective, making us care about what happens to this character, even when more gets piled on top of her (one of the school's parents accuses her of child abuse). Moore also does a wonderful job with her character, and one scene with her in tears is absolutely heartbreaking. The film effectively shows the way that this little community reacts to what happened, as well.
"Map of the World" isn't for everyone, but those in search of a drama with a solid cast will enjoy it. I would've liked to have seen what a more experienced director could have done with this cast and this material, but for now, this "Map" will do.
The DVD
VIDEO: USA Films again produces a presentation that, while showing some flaws on occasion, is pleasing in some aspects. The first thing that shows up early on in the film is a number of small print flaws - tiny marks that start to become a slight distraction. I didn't find this to be a constant or major problem, but it does appear in isolated areas of the film. There is also some minor pixelation once or twice, but no shimmering.
Sharpness is fairly good; most scenes seem well-rendered, but there are some moments that look a bit soft. Detail is fine, and clarity is passable, although some of the darker scenes look a bit murky. Flesh tones are generally accurate and natural. Colors are fine as well, looking natural but never bold, obviously trying to keep with the not too vibrant tone of the film.
This certainly isn't too bad, but I would really have liked to have seen a smoother presentation with less flaws such as the marks on the print used. Average looking work. (1.85:1/anamorphic)
SOUND: The film's audio is Dolby surround, and it's all dialogue-driven, with only a few moments of music. Music sounds clear and crisp, but its appearances are kept fairly brief. Dialogue is clear and easily heard..
MENUS:: Menus are fairly bland, and just use some basic film-themed images for backgrounds.
EXTRAS: Theatrical trailer, 13 minute documentary on the making of the film and cast/crew bios. It would have been nice to hear from the director in a commentary about what it was like to have this kind of cast in his first film, but oh well.
Final Thoughts: "Map Of The World" is a good rental for those seeking a mostly successful drama with some good actors. Those who don't do well with darker fare like this probably should stay away.
"Map Of The World" was one of a series of higher profile independent features that seemed to dissapear from theaters quickly in the past year. They've all faced various obstacles, and in this case, the film may have been a hard sell due to its subject matter, but that also has unfortunately kept audiences from seeing a number of great performances, including Sigorney Weaver in one of her best efforts.
Weaver stars as Alice Goodwin, a school nurse who, from the first frame, we would like to take away from the world she lives in. Her two children are fingernails-on-a-blackboard irritating and her husband is a bit "out-of-it". Weaver is almost perfect as a woman who we see is on the cliff and about to step over into depression and worse. Worse unfortunately happens when Alice is watching the two children of her friend Teressa(Julianne Moore), and one of them wanders off and drowns in the nearby pond.
The film has almost two sides; there are a number of positive things to say about the film, and the other half offers a handful of wrong choices. To get the negatives out of the way first, first-time director Scott Elliot lets portions of the film go on a bit too long at times. Some of the characters, such as Alice's husband, are pretty limited and could stand to be a bit more detailed. I haven't read the book, but I have to say that one of Alice's children is so incredibly annoying, at times you expect her head to spin around like some kind of horror film. During the courtroom scenes towards the end of the film, the movie takes some absurd turns that take away from the film.
The positive elements are strong, though. Weaver's performance is natural and very effective, making us care about what happens to this character, even when more gets piled on top of her (one of the school's parents accuses her of child abuse). Moore also does a wonderful job with her character, and one scene with her in tears is absolutely heartbreaking. The film effectively shows the way that this little community reacts to what happened, as well.
"Map of the World" isn't for everyone, but those in search of a drama with a solid cast will enjoy it. I would've liked to have seen what a more experienced director could have done with this cast and this material, but for now, this "Map" will do.
The DVD
VIDEO: USA Films again produces a presentation that, while showing some flaws on occasion, is pleasing in some aspects. The first thing that shows up early on in the film is a number of small print flaws - tiny marks that start to become a slight distraction. I didn't find this to be a constant or major problem, but it does appear in isolated areas of the film. There is also some minor pixelation once or twice, but no shimmering.
Sharpness is fairly good; most scenes seem well-rendered, but there are some moments that look a bit soft. Detail is fine, and clarity is passable, although some of the darker scenes look a bit murky. Flesh tones are generally accurate and natural. Colors are fine as well, looking natural but never bold, obviously trying to keep with the not too vibrant tone of the film.
This certainly isn't too bad, but I would really have liked to have seen a smoother presentation with less flaws such as the marks on the print used. Average looking work. (1.85:1/anamorphic)
SOUND: The film's audio is Dolby surround, and it's all dialogue-driven, with only a few moments of music. Music sounds clear and crisp, but its appearances are kept fairly brief. Dialogue is clear and easily heard..
MENUS:: Menus are fairly bland, and just use some basic film-themed images for backgrounds.
EXTRAS: Theatrical trailer, 13 minute documentary on the making of the film and cast/crew bios. It would have been nice to hear from the director in a commentary about what it was like to have this kind of cast in his first film, but oh well.
Final Thoughts: "Map Of The World" is a good rental for those seeking a mostly successful drama with some good actors. Those who don't do well with darker fare like this probably should stay away.
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