Blu-ray Review: Every Day (2010)

Although this marks his first time writing and directing a motion picture, former Nip/Tuck writer/producer Richard Levine succeeds in bringing a decidedly-adult drama about grown-up life to us with his debut film, Every Day. Like a lot of the better writers out there, Levine endows his characters with many aspects from real-life situations and individuals, and the result is something that will strike a chord with just about anyone that’s ever been down the road of marriage/kids/career.

The story here focuses on Ned (Live Schreiber), a family man who works as a staff writer for a highly sensational cable television series that prides itself on its ridiculous amounts of sex and shock. While the job is a well-paying one, it tends to tear our protagonist away from his family. His family, on the other hand, have their own affairs to contend with: Jeannie (Helen Hunt), Ned’s wife, has just returned home with her dying father (Brian Dennehy) in tow — which forces the youngest of Ned and Jeannie’s two sons (Skyler Fortgang) to grow up a little bit before it’s time. The couple’s oldest son, however, is more grown up than Ned would care to admit: Jonah (Ezra Miller) is an openly gay high school student who is beginning to explore the whole “dating” scene.

Yes, Ned’s family life is definitely in need of a tune-up. But then, his work life isn’t hot, either. His boss (Eddie Izzard) is constantly demanding new surprises out of Ned for the show; a problematic state of affairs that increases Ned’s potential to run head-on into disaster when he’s asked to do some late night re-writing with a young, curvy and promiscuous colleague (Carla Gugino). Will Ned be able to resist the temptations of a “newer, faster model” of woman? Can he accept his eldest son’s homosexuality and learn to be OK with it? And what of Jeannie and her day-to-day struggle with her miserable dad? And does this sound a little too much like real life, kids? Well, that’s because this is what real life is like for many people. In Ned’s case, it happens Every Day.

If you’re not a fan of adult drama, Richard Levine’s Every Day may hit a little too close for home for you. Personally, I’ve dealt with two of the above-mentioned facets (infidelity and the taking care of one’s parental figure in their final days, in case you’re wondering), so it definitely had a “been there, done that” impact upon me. And even though I’m not a big fan of the more “serious” movies that are out there, I can safely say that — between Levine’s superb writing/directing and his impressive cast’s marvelous performances — Every Day emerges as a winner in my book.

Image Entertainment brings Every Day to Blu-ray in a 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer that preserves the movie’s 1.85:1 aspect ratio. While heavy on the diffused side, lighting-wise (it’s not a very “bright” movie in either respect), the presentation here is quite sufficient. Detail is strong, colors are rather vibrant (even though the film’s color palette isn’t), and contrast is just as solid as it was when Levine filmed this little indie beauty of a flick with a Red One camera. The movie’s only soundtrack is an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 one. The audio is quite good for a domestic drama (read: little to no exercise for the rear speakers), but stereo enthusiasts may be disappointed.

Special Features for Every Day consist of a featurette which interviews the film’s cast and crew and a handful of Deleted Scenes (all of which are shown in Standard Def). A couple of trailers are also included with this release.

To reiterate: Every Day won’t be on everyone’s list of “Movies to Rush Right Out and See!” If you’ve ever been in any of the predicaments depicted in the film, you’ll probably feel right at home here (whether you want to or not), while the rest of you will more than likely wonder what the whole point of the film is.