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Category:    Home > Reviews > Drama > Relationships > Sexuality > Two Girls & A Guy (1998/NC-17 & R-rated versions/Fox Blu-ray)

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


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