| Reviews & Columns |
|
Reviews DVD TV on DVD Blu-ray 4K UHD International DVDs In Theaters Reviews by Studio Video Games Features Collector Series DVDs Easter Egg Database Interviews DVD Talk Radio Feature Articles Columns Anime Talk DVD Savant Horror DVDs The M.O.D. Squad Art House HD Talk Silent DVD
|
 DVD Talk Forum |
|
|
| Resources |
|
DVD Price Search Customer Service #'s RCE Info Links |
|
Columns
  
 
|
|
|
Hanging Up
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
I really don't see why this new "sadness" genre has caught on; ever since "The Story Of Us", a number of films have simply shown people arguing and trying to work out their relationships by yelling at each other. "Hanging Up" does go into that territory, but pulls out of it before getting in way too deep.
Meg Ryan stars as Eve, a party planner that is forced to hold her whole family together. She's really the only likable character in the film, and it's a compliment to Ryan's charm that she really emerges as the only one completely unhurt. She is faced with the task of not only pulling the family together, but also taking care of her elderly father (Walter Matthau, totally wasted in the role) who keeps calling her to sputter inane one-liners.
Like almost every other film written by Nora Ephron and her sister Delia, the drama is overdone and underwritten, and the comedy seems flat and limp. She was also prepared to direct this film, but actress Diane Keaton steps in at the last moment, with not much of an improvement. She's incredibly lucky that Ryan is along for the ride once more, because she's able to filter the drama and make the emotions seem at least a little more down-to-earth and real. Keaton as an actress doesn't make much of an impression, and Lisa Kudrow extends her "Friends" character into yet another film.
"Hanging Up" doesn't last long enough to be much more than harmless chatter, but with such engaging actresses in the lead roles, there could have been a lot more potential in the film. The screenplay really is what sinks the film, not developing the characters enough to make us sympathetic to any but Ryan's. Like their other films("You've Got Mail"), things seem very polished, and not always terribly sincere. Again, the only heroine in "Hanging Up" is Ryan, who really saves the film from being a washout.
The DVD
VIDEO: Columbia/Tristar has always been one of the best studios when it comes to DVD (this site awarded the studio best of 1999), but it seems as if they're even improving more each time out recently, and for the most part, "Hanging Up" looks pretty stunning, with an almost perfectly smooth and "film-like" looking picture. It seems a little bit soft here and there, but in a film like this, it seems to be intentional towards the "look" of the film. The image remains razor sharp and clean, never wanting in clarity and consistently offering good detail. Colors are fine as well, looking bold and well-saturated, with no problems such as bleeding. Flesh tones are natural, and black level is solid as well.
I noticed some instances of shimmer now and again, but they were never terribly distracting and were pretty minimal. There's no pixelation or any other sort of break-up, either. The print used is in absolutely perfect condition, with no marks or scratches that were evident. This is really beautiful work from Tristar, and it does justice to the work from ace cinematographer Howard Atherton("Bad Boys"). A pan&scan version of the film can be chosen from the main menu, but in the selection, it makes the letterboxed version look like 2.35:1 when it's actually 1.85:1, which was odd...but, oh well.
SOUND: "Hanging Up" is, as expected, not terribly agressive, but some nice subtle touches do take it beyond the conventional comedy/drama audio mix. Surrounds get subtle use, but use that is noticable and adds to the feel of the picture. The musical score also gets a nice presentation, enveloping the viewer with fine clarity. There's not much bass involved in the proceedings, but that's to be expected in a film like this. Still, I appreciated the steps that were made to go beyond the basics. Dialogue is clear and easily understood, as well.
MENUS:: Basic, non-animated menus using film-themed images, and the aspect ratio can be chosen from the main menu(although, as previously mentioned, the letterboxed image makes it look as if the film is 2.35:1, when it's actually 1.85:1).
EXTRAS:
Trailers: The trailer for "Hanging Up"(which makes it look more like a comedy than the drama it really is) and the trailer for "Sleepless In Seattle". The trailer for "Hanging Up" is in Dolby Digital 5.1.
Gag Reel: About 5 minutes worth of the lead actresses messing up or cracking up. Not really the funniest gag reel I've ever seen. There is one very funny scene though, where Ryan is trying to cover up her laughter in a scene with Matthau.
First Look: Hanging Up: A 12 minute "promotional" featurette that goes through the usual interviews with the cast/crew where they chat about their roles in the film.
Also: Talent files and a way too long deleted sequence that was thankfully cut from the film.
Final Thoughts: If you're interested in the film, probably rent it first before you buy. The movie certainly has its share of flaws, but isn't a total failure. The disc from Tristar is yet another one of their fine efforts, with good picture/sound quality. The extras section is a little short, but not too bad. A rental.
I really don't see why this new "sadness" genre has caught on; ever since "The Story Of Us", a number of films have simply shown people arguing and trying to work out their relationships by yelling at each other. "Hanging Up" does go into that territory, but pulls out of it before getting in way too deep.
Meg Ryan stars as Eve, a party planner that is forced to hold her whole family together. She's really the only likable character in the film, and it's a compliment to Ryan's charm that she really emerges as the only one completely unhurt. She is faced with the task of not only pulling the family together, but also taking care of her elderly father (Walter Matthau, totally wasted in the role) who keeps calling her to sputter inane one-liners.
Like almost every other film written by Nora Ephron and her sister Delia, the drama is overdone and underwritten, and the comedy seems flat and limp. She was also prepared to direct this film, but actress Diane Keaton steps in at the last moment, with not much of an improvement. She's incredibly lucky that Ryan is along for the ride once more, because she's able to filter the drama and make the emotions seem at least a little more down-to-earth and real. Keaton as an actress doesn't make much of an impression, and Lisa Kudrow extends her "Friends" character into yet another film.
"Hanging Up" doesn't last long enough to be much more than harmless chatter, but with such engaging actresses in the lead roles, there could have been a lot more potential in the film. The screenplay really is what sinks the film, not developing the characters enough to make us sympathetic to any but Ryan's. Like their other films("You've Got Mail"), things seem very polished, and not always terribly sincere. Again, the only heroine in "Hanging Up" is Ryan, who really saves the film from being a washout.
The DVD
VIDEO: Columbia/Tristar has always been one of the best studios when it comes to DVD (this site awarded the studio best of 1999), but it seems as if they're even improving more each time out recently, and for the most part, "Hanging Up" looks pretty stunning, with an almost perfectly smooth and "film-like" looking picture. It seems a little bit soft here and there, but in a film like this, it seems to be intentional towards the "look" of the film. The image remains razor sharp and clean, never wanting in clarity and consistently offering good detail. Colors are fine as well, looking bold and well-saturated, with no problems such as bleeding. Flesh tones are natural, and black level is solid as well.
I noticed some instances of shimmer now and again, but they were never terribly distracting and were pretty minimal. There's no pixelation or any other sort of break-up, either. The print used is in absolutely perfect condition, with no marks or scratches that were evident. This is really beautiful work from Tristar, and it does justice to the work from ace cinematographer Howard Atherton("Bad Boys"). A pan&scan version of the film can be chosen from the main menu, but in the selection, it makes the letterboxed version look like 2.35:1 when it's actually 1.85:1, which was odd...but, oh well.
SOUND: "Hanging Up" is, as expected, not terribly agressive, but some nice subtle touches do take it beyond the conventional comedy/drama audio mix. Surrounds get subtle use, but use that is noticable and adds to the feel of the picture. The musical score also gets a nice presentation, enveloping the viewer with fine clarity. There's not much bass involved in the proceedings, but that's to be expected in a film like this. Still, I appreciated the steps that were made to go beyond the basics. Dialogue is clear and easily understood, as well.
MENUS:: Basic, non-animated menus using film-themed images, and the aspect ratio can be chosen from the main menu(although, as previously mentioned, the letterboxed image makes it look as if the film is 2.35:1, when it's actually 1.85:1).
EXTRAS:
Trailers: The trailer for "Hanging Up"(which makes it look more like a comedy than the drama it really is) and the trailer for "Sleepless In Seattle". The trailer for "Hanging Up" is in Dolby Digital 5.1.
Gag Reel: About 5 minutes worth of the lead actresses messing up or cracking up. Not really the funniest gag reel I've ever seen. There is one very funny scene though, where Ryan is trying to cover up her laughter in a scene with Matthau.
First Look: Hanging Up: A 12 minute "promotional" featurette that goes through the usual interviews with the cast/crew where they chat about their roles in the film.
Also: Talent files and a way too long deleted sequence that was thankfully cut from the film.
Final Thoughts: If you're interested in the film, probably rent it first before you buy. The movie certainly has its share of flaws, but isn't a total failure. The disc from Tristar is yet another one of their fine efforts, with good picture/sound quality. The extras section is a little short, but not too bad. A rental.
|
| Popular Reviews |
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Release List | Reviews | Shop | Newsletter | Forum | DVD Giveaways | Blu-Ray | Advertise |
|
Copyright 2024 DVDTalk.com All Rights Reserved. Legal Info, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use,
Manage Preferences,
Your Privacy Choices 
| |||||||