The Big Picture (2010/MPI Blu-ray)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: D Film: B+
Paul
Exben (Roman Duris) is a man who has it all, a successful rich lawyer living in
the heart of Paris
with a wife, kids and a guaranteed future. That is until he found out his wife has been
having an affair with his neighbor, Greg, but after accidentally killing Greg
in his rage instead of just getting rid of the body, he fakes his own death and
takes Greg's place. He then moves far
away and starting his life over as Greg, the photojournalist, but when his
pictures start getting fame and fortune, the people begin to question who is
this artist?
Eric
Lartigau’s The Big Picture focuses
initially on Paul being the rich successful lawyer who had everything but what
was important and secretly felt empty, sexually unsatisfied, unhappy and envied
his freelance life of his neighbor. His
spoiled wife Sarah (Marina Fols) actually wanted his kids, a divorce, an sexual
affair with the neighbor while still living the rich lifestyle from the money
Paul earned, but even after killing his neighbor, covering his tracks, cutting
all ties, and stealing someone's life and identity it is hard to remain
anonymous. Every bit of clues, his name,
even the pictures he took could lead others back to finding out his past and
then connect him to the murder, especially after his pictures becoming famous. How long can he keep living a double life?
The
French certainly love their dramas, love affairs and dis-functional families. It is a story of how being rich doesn't bring
happiness, and even if you try to run from the past, you can't hide from it. Too bad in modern real life it isn't as easy
to change or disappear, in the modern multi-cultural world you need ID and
could be found/traced in a matter of hours or days. Even living another person's life will soon
get you caught, the smallest clue, hint could lead others to see the difference
between the false self and one's real self. Catherine Deneuve also stars.
The 1080p
2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image was shot on Fuji 35mm film in the Sup0er
35mm format (3-perf version) and looks good, which is good since it is one of
the last films that will ever have used those now discontinued stocks. The DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 lossless mix
is consistent in soundfield throughout and well recorded as well, so we get
more than a weak dialogue-based mix. The
only extras are trailers, but more would have been nice.
- Ricky Chiang
