Video:

The anamorphic widescreen transfer of High Art is the best that could be done with an independent film shot on the cheap like this. The only flaws that are visible are from the film itself – sometimes the focus is a bit soft, especially inside. But it is clear that the flaws are not from the transfer.

Audio:

The Dolby 2.0 track provided is decent, but the dialogue is very low in some scenes. There is no concern about boosting the volume to hear the dialogue, though; the whole film is quiet, so you won't be struggling to hear in one scene and blown back in the next.

Extras:

Aside from the film's trailer, the only extra included on High Art is a feature-length commentary with Cholodenko. Aside from the usual compliments lavished up on the cast and crew (including the phrase "they really went there" and variants thereof used in reference to actors somewhere around eight thousand times), Cholodenko really explained how the film got made. Listening to the story of how a non-commercial, very independent film that did not have a major built-in audience found funding and got through the production process was fascinating, and Cholodenko is a pretty good story-teller.

Final Thoughts:

Beyond the basics of the script – the lesbian love, the drug use - High Art is about lost ambition and misdirection in life. It's a beautifully told story, punctuated with fantastic performances, and an easy film to recommend.