Forget questioning the answers...this one's for those who question the questions.

Director David O. Russell's existential comedy I ♥ Huckabees (2004) isn't the kind of film you can just watch once and forget...even if you don't end up liking it the first time around. There's no map provided on this offbeat head trip, only a few vaguely-marked road signs that whiz by before you get a good look. This is a dense, multi-layered film that's funny, touching, and confident---and while it's surely not for everyone, those who can keep up with the chaotic pace will find much to enjoy.

Here comes the hard part: describing the basic plot without sounding like a total lunatic. At its core, I ♥ Huckabees is all about how questioning one's own existence can lead everywhere and nowhere...all at the same time. Take environmental activist Albert Markovski (Jason Schwartzman), for example: he seems obsessed with things that some would pass off as trivial, including a series of run-ins with a tall, African man. Markovski's continuing efforts to "save the marshes", with the help of Huckabees (a sprawling, Target-inspired chain store), lead to tension with corporate salesman Brad Stand, a man who's been telling the same tired Shania Twain chicken salad story for several years now. But wait, there's more!

Brad's girlfriend (played by Naomi Watts) is the "spokesmodel" of Huckabees, unhappy with the corner her image has painted her into. There's also Tommy Corn (Mark Wahlberg), a dedicated firefighter who's looking for answers following his involvement in the 9/11 tragedy. All four (and a few others) are somehow connected to Bernard and Vivian (Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin)---two "existential detectives" who spy on their clients to understand what makes them tick---and French author Caterine Vauban (Isabelle Huppert), who believes the only way to deal with life's pain is to simply accept it.

Needless to say, there's a lot to take in.

Despite its infectious energy, I ♥ Huckabees keeps at a safe distance from its audience at all times. In all honesty, it's a necessary part of the film's ideology that may turn off some viewers (and from the looks of the box office, it did). Long story short: if you love to be comfortably familiar with a film's characters and atmosphere right from the start, you've come to the wrong place...but trust me, stick around anyway. It's a film that demands a great deal of attention---no matter how many times you've seen it---and has more than enough strengths to hold it once you're sucked in. From the terrific performances all around (honestly, I couldn't pick a favorite if I tried, but Jude Law's is the first that comes to mind) to a wonderful, low-key score by P.T. Andseron regular Jon Brion, I ♥ Huckabees is a fine effort from a director that continues to improve with each project.

Unfortunately, this DVD is only an appetizer. In a similar fashion to last year's Master and Commander, Fox has decided to offer consumers two choices: go for this single-disc release, or fork over even more cash for the 2-disc Special Edition (which should be the standard, not the "better version"). This is a strange marketing practice, made all the more confusing by one of the disc's included Audio Commentaries (see the 'Bonus Features' section for more details). For those who really loved the film and want tons of bonus features, stop reading and order the 2-disc version here. For everyone else, let's see how this disc stacks up, shall we?

Likewise, the film's 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound mix gets the job done. You know the drill for dialogue-driven films: most of the activity is anchored up front, but there's also some directional effects and general ambience that add a subtle layer to the viewing experience. There's also a Spanish Dolby 2.0 Surround mix, as well as English and Spanish subtitles thrown in for good measure.

With a pleasing overall presentation, I ♥ Huckabees features a simple design that's easy to navigate (though the Chapter Selection screen is a little awkward). The 106-minute film has been divided neatly into 24 chapters. This single-disc release is housed in a standard black keepcase, and no insert has been included (though this screener copy may not have included the completed product). The only lame aspect of the overall presentation were a few ham-handed menu transitions (come on..."I ♥ Special Features"?!), but that's a minor nitpick. In all honesty, a fine job overall.

Here's the disc's sole disappointment: a set of bonus features that start nicely and fall completely flat. The notables here are a pair of Audio Commentaries---with David Russell, Jason Schwartzman, Mark Wahlberg and Naomi Watts, as well as a solo Russell track---that attempt to dissect a bit of the experience. The group track flows a bit more smoothly overall, though it almost seems as if the participants were recorded separately (they're not, but they largely talk on a one-to-one basis). It's also worth noting that co-star Naomi Watts is more of a "guest star" on the group commentary, as Russell has a phone chat with her roughly 2/3 into the session. Both tracks are worthwhile listens, though several key stories are repeated between the two.

Here's the real mystery: Russell makes mention several times of other bonus features on the DVD, including a few deleted scenes and several outtakes...and yet they're nowhere to be found on this version. The two-disc release looks to contain what we're missing here and more...and while it's better to have a pair of commentaries than nothing at all, they end up sticking out like sore thumbs. Overall, a lacking assortment of bonus features. Raise your hand if you agree!

One of 2004's best films...and yet one of 2005's most puzzling DVD releases. It's nice to have the film with such a pleasing technical presentation, but this lightweight edition is only half of the picture. For a film that really needs to be peeled back and examined, it's hard to see beneath the surface with this lackluster single-disc effort. Still, this disc isn't a total loss: I ♥ Huckabees is a compelling film with a high amount of replay value, and that's what should keep this DVD from the bowels of Hell. In all honesty, though, this is only worth a weekend look for those who haven't seen it yet. Rent It.