FLESH AND BONE

Director/writer Steve Kloves’ “FLESH AND BONE” has been released on dvd from PARAMOUNT.   While many critics have praised his writing talent, “WONDER BOYS”, and “FABULOUS BAKER BOYS”, this reviewer believes he’s adequate at best.  “FABULOUS BAKER BOYS” and “WONDER BOYS” succeeded in spite of, rather than because of the script.  Even the fine acting talent found in “FLESH AND BONE” can’t save the film,…it fails!  The opening sequence, involving a family being murdered, is gripping and disturbing.  We soon realize that the prologue will foreshadow, predictably, everything else that follows, and although Kloves tries to build texture into the film’s landscape and characters, the pacing is far too slow, making what should be a thriller, feel more like a long, confusing, Russian epic, with no payoff.  James Caan, Dennis Quaid, and Meg Ryan are all decent here, but it’s Gwyneth Paltrow who really stands out.  There’s even a bit of nudity here, sure to please her biggest fans.

 PARAMOUNT has preserved the film’s 1.85:1 aspect ratio with 16:9 enhancement.  The production design of the film is excellent, and its vibrant colors and contrast is well represented here.  Color comes into play here throughout the film, helping to define characters as well as subtexts to characters.  Shadow is also utilized effectively by Kloves in creating an eerie atmosphere.  The contrast offers deep blacks and grays.

 The soundmix is offered with Dolby Digital 5.1, and while there are some effective atmospheric moments in the rear speakers, surround effects are restrained for the most part, utilized mostly in boosting the film’s score. The dialogue is always intelligible and free from distortion.