Two Girls & A Guy (1998/NC-17 & R-rated versions/Fox Blu-ray)
Picture: B
Sound: B- Extras: C- Film: C-
Before his comeback, Robert Downey, Jr. was taking
different odd risks and working with James Toback to bring Two Guys & A Girl (1998) to life was one of them. Though written for the screen by the
director, it feels like a badly adapted stage play and the combination of he,
Heather Graham and Natasha Gregson Wagner does not always produce the sparks it
should or could have. It was also made
at a time when the actresses seemed to be on the climb. Miss Wagner is still trying and Miss Graham
has taken a path so problematic and bizarre that it requires a separate essay.
As it stands, I never bought this film and to be honest,
have never bought anything Toback has made.
His idea of reality never rings true for me and the acting here is
overdone, badly timed and unreal. The
sex seems like an odd interruption of a film that never works and except for
the fact that it takes on mature subject matter in a way few films do; it fails
and is a dud. It was also a dud upon
release throughout its run to home video and is now a curio. If you must see it, don’t expect much.
The 1080p 1.85 X 1 AVC @ 19 MBPS digital High Definition image
is a bit soft throughout in both versions, possibly because this is an older HD
master or was just not shot well, but it is not that impressive overall. At least fleshtones look good. The DTS-HD Master Audio (MA) lossless 5.1 mix
is poorer, showing the limits of the recording of what is a confined stage
work, but this is even flatter than expected.
The combination disappoints, yet a DVD would probably be worse. Extras include a new Toback interview,
feature length audio commentary by Toback, Downey, Jr. and Wagner and the original
theatrical trailer.
- Nicholas Sheffo