DVD DETAILS:
Vision
Romero’s visual style here stresses cold and naturally drab, even rather de-saturated environs as the veneer of elegant but distinct inhospitability infiltrates every texture. Although the transfer is mostly capable, the region 4 review disc was available in 4:3 fullscreen only, implying that some of Romero’s compositional finesse was therefore lost. In terms of clarity, there are some frame edge definition issues and murky blacks on occasion. Nevertheless, the film is effectively wintry in feel and has a documentary-like authenticity in the details of life as a quadriplegic person, a realistic underpinning for the thriller territory. Much is thus made of notions of confinement and freedom, and as expected, the clash between mobility and immobility is a dominant motif, most exhilarating (because dangerous and ominous) in the point of view shots of the monkey travelling – an experience Beghe shares in a kind of dream state. The first use of this point of view shot effectively marks the juncture where the film segues from drama into psychological thriller. Romero’s style here, however, feels oddly distanced and remote, coldly realistic and detailed in sets and décor but rather passionless until the latter stages – as if psychological disturbance invigorates life. The ethics of animal experimentation run through the laboratory sequences (and especially in the comparison between Pankow and his boss).
Sound
The sound transfer is available in Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo only and is efficient without ever being truly vibrant, although when needed is dynamic within its limitations. Thankfully crisp is the fine score, initially quite suitably autumnal and melancholic in feel although progressively ominous. The overall transfer is mostly centred, with much emphasis on tone of voice as the key to character. Thus, it is through such vocal intonation that Beghe interacts with Ella and the emotional, even romantic core of their affection is increasingly evident. As rage starts to enter into their relationship, so too the vocal energy seems to transform their compositional relationship in the frame as the editing becomes more jarring and the compositions harder, stressing their interaction and then their impending explosive collision as the implicit violence in such editing rhythms makes some of the film appropriately uncomfortable. There is a sly use of jungle sounds for the point of view shots, reminding one that despite the monkey’s apparent intelligence, she is still after all an animal. Easy listening music is also used to ironic effect towards the film’s end, providing the appearance of calm surroundings. The monkey noises are well integrated into the aural design and minor sounds make for a realistic build-up to more suspenseful scenes. Monkey Shines is a very measured film in pace and the sound transfer follows this intent extremely well. read more
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