Review of Lantana

Introduction

You might not have heard of this film, but it`s been whipping up a storm of critical acclaim since it opened at the Sydney Film Festival in June 2001. After moving around a few more festivals (and picking up 7 Australian Film Institute awards) it opened in late 2001 in America, but took another 9 months until it made it to the big screen over here. It didn`t hang around for long, and didn`t do massive business. So who was right, the public who didn`t turn up or the critics who largely loved it?

It`s a character driven piece, in the style of Magnolia (although it was written before that film), and we follow the lives of various characters, and watch as their paths cross. The story is based on the play Speaking in Tongues, and was adapted by its author Andrew Bovell.

Video

An excellent 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer, which does a fantastic job of presenting a side of Sydney that you don`t see in holiday programmes and Lunn Polly brochures. This is north Sydney, not the tourist friendly city with its bridge, Opera House and hundreds of fantastic restaurants. There`s a bit more landscape, and a lot more Lantana (it`s a plant you see).

The transfer is free from blemishes and it all looks just great.

Audio

A fantastic DD5.1 soundtrack is on offer here. This is not a booming and banging all action summer blockbuster, but that doesn`t mean that it can`t have a good soundtrack. This one completely engulfs you in the sound field, with a combination of ambient effects and good use of the film`s wonderful score.Paul Kelly is the man responsible for it.

Dialogue is always clear and audible and locked on to the centre channel except when necessary.

There`s also a DD2.0 surround track if your system is not up to DD5.1

Features

A couple of big extras make up the bulk items on offer here. The first is a DD5.1 audio commentary (the first one I`ve come across). Director Ray Lawrence, producer Jan Chapman, and writer Andrew Bovell take one front channel each and talk their way through the various parts of the film. They talk about the play that the film is based on, changes to the story, casting and shooting. There are a few annoying gaps in the commentary, but it`s well worth listening to, and definitely enhances the viewing experience.

The other big extra is a documentary called The Nature of Lantana - this is a mixture of behind the scenes and interview footage, in a kind of warts and all style. This is not the usual polished studio PR fluff, but something worth watching. There`s plenty of input from all involved in the film, with only small amount of repetition of information from the commentary.

You can also find cast and crew biographies and two trailers, including the sales trailer, which is slightly different to most.

Conclusion

A fantastic film is presented on a great disc. It`s difficult to say too much about it without giving lots away, but if you`re fed up of high octane Hollywood blockbusters, this just might be the film for you. I watched it twice in the same day and it was probably even better the second time around. There are plenty of things going on during the film and it`s interesting to watch how they tie up, and spot some of the more subtle coincidences.

The disc itself is great with good picture and fantastic sound (largely due to the excellent score). The commentary and documentary both add to the package, and although it would have been nice to have a few more extras, those 2 are substantial enough to satisfy most of us.

I believe that HMV are selling this DVD in a box set with a screenplay and soundtrack CD thrown in. If you`re considering a purchase, then this might just be the one to go for. If you`re tired of empty Hollywood blockbusters then this could be the film for you. Recommended.