Igby Goes Down

 

Picture: B     Sound: B     Extras: B     Film: B+

 

 

While watching Igby Goes Down in theaters I could not help, but think of Francis Truffaut’s classic film The 400 Blows.  Although this film will certainly never garner the successes of Truffaut’s masterpiece it is still a well-made film and both deal with ‘escape’.  When I use the word escape I am not referring to something like The Great Escape or Escape From Alcatraz, but rather that internal escape from life.  Igby is a troubled child dealing with his disastrous family.  His parents are divorced, his brothers an evil schizophrenic.  Nothing really seems to be going his way and everyone would rather ignore Igby rather than help him.  If you ignore a problem long enough does it go away?  Or does it get worse?

 

Igby is 17 years old and trying to make his way into the world, but the problem is he does not really see a place for him.  He is running, but does not know where he is running.  He just knows to not look back, but no matter how far he runs he never really gets far.  There is always something that comes up that keeps pulling him down.  Igby Goes Down certainly did not get the attention that it deserved.  Kieran Culkin did a fantastic job in his first lead role and was supported by some major key actors and actresses such as Susan Sarandon, Jeff Goldblum, Ryan Phillippe, Bill Pullman, Amanda Peet, and Claire Danes. 

 

Igby Goes Down certainly has a target audience out there, but MGM failed in marketing this film towards that audience.  Written and Directed by Burr Steers, who is more known as an actor appearing in films such as Pulp Fiction and was the radio voiceover in Reservoir Dogs.  This is his directorial debut and is certainly a fine film to start with.  It will be interesting to see where he goes from here although it might not be that easy since this 9 million dollar film practically bombed at the box office.  Even on video the film was unable to pick up much steam, but in time it may finally surface through word of mouth. 

 

MGM’s DVD for Igby Goes Down is one of their better editions without being called a ‘special edition’.  If features an audio commentary with both the director and Kieran Culkin in which they provide entertaining and at times insightful commentary. It would seem that it was an enjoyable film for all those involved by listening to this track.  There is a rather brief featurette entitled In Search of Igby, which is one of those infomercial types of productions.  The DVD also contains scenes that were deleted with commentary provided by the director.  It is always important for any scenes that are cut for them to be explained either by the director or the editor, otherwise the viewer has no clue about the context of the clip or the reasons for cutting that section out. 

 

In terms of picture and sound this is an all around average DVD presented in an anamorphic transfer of its 2.35:1 scope image.  The film was shot in Super 35, which explains some of the softness at times and it was this way in theaters as well.  The color palette for the film is very natural looking rather than trying to go with a certain ‘look’ the film treats its subject in a very natural environment.  It is always a pleasant surprise to see a comedy shot in scope. 

 

As for the audio presentation MGM gives us the typical 5.1 Dolby Digital treatment since the studio neglects using the superior audio choice of DTS 5.1.  To date, MGM has only released two films in DTS, Hannibal and the more recent Die Another Day.  With decisions like this the studio is only hurting itself and keeping its catalog out of the spotlight when it comes to reference quality DVD’s.  Unlike the laserdisc era when MGM had many exceptional DTS titles such as Ronin as well as some of the more recent James Bond films.

 

Igby Goes Down is mostly dialogue heavy with most of the activity residing in the front three channels.  The surrounds do pick up more with certain songs on the soundtrack or in certain scenes with more ambience.  The 5.1 mix does the job, but is not going to blow your roof off. 

 

Looking back on the year 2002 there were many stellar films to make it to the big screen as well as many drab over the top productions that may have pulled in numbers, but produced very little in terms of plot, theme, or production.  Igby Goes Down was a highlight of 2002 that made a few ripples in the water with some critics, but for the most part Igby DID go down, but hopefully in time this film will reach its audience and stay there.

 

 

-   Nate Goss