Blu-ray Review: Everlasting Moments (The Criterion Collection) - Page 2

Troell directs the film with a sure-handedness that translates to strikingly composed interior images and an irrepressible warmth for his characters — even the despicable Sigfrid. Voiceover narration from Maria’s eldest daughter, Maja (Callin Öhrvall), seems more a loyalty to the source material than a storytelling necessity, but Everlasting Moments makes nary a misstep.

The Blu-ray Disc

Everlasting Moments is presented in 1080p high definition with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. Shot on 16mm, the film often has a rough beauty to it, and the visual presentation translates that well with its very film-like quality. The sepia tint that persists throughout the film is given even and consistent consideration throughout. Because of that, the color tone is muted most of the time, but that doesn’t prevent some high-contrast shots — particularly several in snowfall — from standing out. The image does appear to show some minor edge enhancement occasionally, and the 16mm format is responsible for some very grainy images in a few lowlight shots, but it’s certainly nothing bothersome.

The audio is presented in a DTS-HD 5.1 track with strong, clear dialogue and score. The track uses the surrounds nicely in crowd scenes and some chaotic moments incidental to the storyline provide for some heft as well.

Special Features

This is a fairly skimpy disc for Criterion, with only three supplements along with the theatrical trailer. The highlight is an hour-long doc on Troell that traces his career using interviews with him. Exploring the real-life basis for the story is a too-short piece that features narration by Troell’s wife, Agneta Ulfsäter-Troell, who is a distant relative of Larsson. This featurette displays a number of photographs from the real Larsson as well. Rounding out the disc is a fairly standard making-of that runs about 30 minutes. The set also comes with an essay from notorious contrarian Armond White, who claimed Everlasting Moments as the best film of 2009.

The Bottom Line

Everlasting Moments represents another fine acquisition for Criterion in its deal with IFC Films, and continues its recent trend of adding more excellent contemporary films to the esteemed catalogue.

Article Author: Dusty Somers

Dusty Somers hails from Seattle, and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in journalism. He is a member of the Online Film Critics Society.

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