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Jakob The Liar
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
"Jakob The Liar" was panned by critics and largely ignored by audiences during its release in the fall of last year - it had also been sitting on the shelves for nearly two years; the film was completed at the end of 1997. The film is not outstanding, but I certainly don't think it's as poor as the reception it had at the box office would have most believe.
The film stars Robin Williams as Jakob Heym, an older man locked in a Jewish Ghetto in 1945. Late one night, he overhears a radio transmission that the Russian forces are close to liberating the camps - it's not his radio, though. The only problem is that his circle of friends believe that he does have one, and soon, the rumors spread - mainly through a character played well by Liev Schriber. The problem is not the supporting cast as much as it is Williams himself. He's miscast in the role, and the occasional attempt at humor falls flat.
I can understand the film's message of trying to find hope, but the film itself is just weak in dialogue and plot, ending up being melodrama. It doesn't help that Williams is wrong for the lead role, either. At first, I was somewhat interested in the film, but as it goes onward, it plods slowly from scene to scene without a sense of an upcoming point - it begins to go slower and slower as the film goes forward.
The movie tries, but for the most part, it comes up short.
The DVD
VIDEO: No suprise from me, "Jakob The Liar" is another great work from Tristar in terms of image quality. The film offers image quality that's perfectly sharp and crystal clear throughout. Remarkable in a film where a lot of the movie takes place in shadows or darkness - the image never looks murky or muddy, and remains clean and clear. The film has a pale color palette of dark browns and greys, which come through very well. Flesh tones are natural and accurate, as well.
A tiny little bit of shimmer is the only slight flaw in what is otherwise a really strong looking image. Excellent work from Tristar - normal from the studio. Viewers can also choose a full-frame version.
SOUND: A very enjoyable score is really the highlight of "Jakob The Liar". The score sounds clear and dynamic, flowing through the room very nicely. Besides that though, the film is mainly dialogue-driven. Dialogue sounds very clear and natural.
MENUS:: Pretty basic - cover art makes up the main menu, while film-themed images are what the sub-menus offer. Basic, but fine for the film.
EXTRAS: Although Tristar has provided a nice list of extras for the film, the commentary is simply fair - there is some good information, but there's also a lot of pauses. Suprisingly, no theatrical trailer.
Commentary: This is a commentary from director Peter Kassovitz, who takes us behind-the-scenes, talking about the ideas that he had going into the production, as well as his thoughts on the actors. It's not a terrible commentary, although I don't think many will listen to it more than once. The director does give some good details about the locations and stories from the set, but there are also a number of pauses both small and large between comments.
Making-Of Featurette: A short promotional featurette that contains interviews with Robin Williams, who gives his thoughts and viewpoint on the making of the movie, as well as the subject. The other actors also give their thoughts on the production, and there are a few clips of the production at work. Pretty good - above average for a promotional featurette like this one.
also:: Talent files and an isolated score.
Final Thoughts: Mixed thoughts for "Jakob The Liar". The film is ok - maybe worth a rental to watch once. Although the film is just fair, I thought the DVD from Tristar was very good, with the exception of the commentary. Audio and video quality are excellent, as usual from the studio.
"Jakob The Liar" was panned by critics and largely ignored by audiences during its release in the fall of last year - it had also been sitting on the shelves for nearly two years; the film was completed at the end of 1997. The film is not outstanding, but I certainly don't think it's as poor as the reception it had at the box office would have most believe.
The film stars Robin Williams as Jakob Heym, an older man locked in a Jewish Ghetto in 1945. Late one night, he overhears a radio transmission that the Russian forces are close to liberating the camps - it's not his radio, though. The only problem is that his circle of friends believe that he does have one, and soon, the rumors spread - mainly through a character played well by Liev Schriber. The problem is not the supporting cast as much as it is Williams himself. He's miscast in the role, and the occasional attempt at humor falls flat.
I can understand the film's message of trying to find hope, but the film itself is just weak in dialogue and plot, ending up being melodrama. It doesn't help that Williams is wrong for the lead role, either. At first, I was somewhat interested in the film, but as it goes onward, it plods slowly from scene to scene without a sense of an upcoming point - it begins to go slower and slower as the film goes forward.
The movie tries, but for the most part, it comes up short.
The DVD
VIDEO: No suprise from me, "Jakob The Liar" is another great work from Tristar in terms of image quality. The film offers image quality that's perfectly sharp and crystal clear throughout. Remarkable in a film where a lot of the movie takes place in shadows or darkness - the image never looks murky or muddy, and remains clean and clear. The film has a pale color palette of dark browns and greys, which come through very well. Flesh tones are natural and accurate, as well.
A tiny little bit of shimmer is the only slight flaw in what is otherwise a really strong looking image. Excellent work from Tristar - normal from the studio. Viewers can also choose a full-frame version.
SOUND: A very enjoyable score is really the highlight of "Jakob The Liar". The score sounds clear and dynamic, flowing through the room very nicely. Besides that though, the film is mainly dialogue-driven. Dialogue sounds very clear and natural.
MENUS:: Pretty basic - cover art makes up the main menu, while film-themed images are what the sub-menus offer. Basic, but fine for the film.
EXTRAS: Although Tristar has provided a nice list of extras for the film, the commentary is simply fair - there is some good information, but there's also a lot of pauses. Suprisingly, no theatrical trailer.
Commentary: This is a commentary from director Peter Kassovitz, who takes us behind-the-scenes, talking about the ideas that he had going into the production, as well as his thoughts on the actors. It's not a terrible commentary, although I don't think many will listen to it more than once. The director does give some good details about the locations and stories from the set, but there are also a number of pauses both small and large between comments.
Making-Of Featurette: A short promotional featurette that contains interviews with Robin Williams, who gives his thoughts and viewpoint on the making of the movie, as well as the subject. The other actors also give their thoughts on the production, and there are a few clips of the production at work. Pretty good - above average for a promotional featurette like this one.
also:: Talent files and an isolated score.
Final Thoughts: Mixed thoughts for "Jakob The Liar". The film is ok - maybe worth a rental to watch once. Although the film is just fair, I thought the DVD from Tristar was very good, with the exception of the commentary. Audio and video quality are excellent, as usual from the studio.
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