The Lightkeepers (2009/Image Blu-ray)

 

Picture: B-     Sound: C+     Extras: C+     Feature: B-

 

 

Richard Dreyfuss is an interesting actor who excels when he gets a role that works for him.  As lone lighthouse keeper Seth in 1912, he wants to stay isolated, including from all women, which is a view held by one John Brown (Tom Wisdom) who suddenly steps into his life at Cape Cod.  This does not disrupt his world, but when two young women and one Mrs. Bascom (Blythe Danner) shows up, that will be a different story.

 

It has been a while since I have seen a smart romantic drama unfold about adult that is adult by adults and for adults, but that is what we have here.  Writer/Director Daniel Adams (Religion, Inc., Golden Boys) handles the material very well, has a great cast that generates chemistry that makes you believe it is from the time it takes place and we get good character development as well.  A pleasant surprise that is a little off-beat without any overkill or cartoonish comedy, I hope more people get to see this one.  Bruce Dern and Julie Harris also star.

 

The 1080p 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image is a little soft throughout based in part on the style chosen, but also to make it look like the past.  This approach can be distracting, though the fact this seems to be shot on HD does not help.  The DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) lossless 5.1 mix is a little weak as this is a dialogue-based period piece, but the recording is not bad throughout, just not spectacular.  Extras include a trailer and cast/crew interviews.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo