SAVING SILVERMAN R VERSION

COLUMBIA TRISTAR elected to release “SAVING SILVERMAN” in two versions on two separate dvds.  One version is the theatrical version, rated PG-13, and the other, reviewed here is the “R” version.

While the film tanked at the boxoffice, there have been many worse comedies this past year.  That probably doesn’t sound like a ringing endorsement, and it’s not intended to be. There’s a lot wrong with “SAVING SILVERMAN”,… a LOT! 

Jason Biggs stars as the title character, Darren Silverman, whom after aging, but not maturing, with two immature friends, meets, falls in love with, and gets engaged to Amanda Peet.  Of course, Silverman’s two friends can’t believe he’s going to marry this girl he just met, and it’s harder still, for the audience to believe any girl would fall for Silverman, but this is the movies after all, and anything can happen.  Having decided, this new girl is up to no good, the idiot-duo decides to kidnap her and stop the romance.  What this maneuver really does, is to simply “stop” the film dead in its tracks. This isn’t a hard task to do, as the film moves at a sluggish pace to begin with!  There’s just very little to laugh at anywhere in the film!  While any movie fan would tend to prefer extra footage, this is one film where we wish the “R” version were actually shorter!

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has presented the film with its proper 1.85:1 aspect ratio and 16:9 enhancement.  The image is terrific!  Color values are solid throughout!  Fleshtones are perfectly natural throughout.  Contrast is generally sharp, although there’s some minor grain at times.  While the full-screen version is available on the opposite side, the image pales in comparison, appearing blown-up and excessively grainy.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundmix is fine, with a decent share of directional effects.  This tends to be a “bad” dialogue-driven film, so effects aren’t essential to the film.  There is some surround usage, but it’s limited to ambient effects and music. 

This “R” rated version is supposed to offer four minutes of additional footage.  These scenes are basically “dirtier” representations of the PG-13 version.  One of the scenes offers a sequence here, where the girls are topless, although they were clothed in the “PG-13” version.  There’s also more explicit language in this version. 

Director Dennis Dugan provides a running commentary on this release.  While the guy’s passionate about filmmaking and likeable enough, this film isn’t “likeable” or entertaining, so it’s hard to make oneself consider deeper reflection of it.  Not a “bad” commentary, but a really “bad” film!