‘Between Two Worlds’ Blu-Ray Review – Juliette Binoche Shines In Layered Working Class Drama

Famed author Marianne Winckler (Juliette Binoche) goes undercover to investigate the exploitation of the working class in Northern France. She eventually lands a job as a cleaner on the cross-channel ferry and develops close connections with the other cleaning women, many of whom have extremely limited resources and income opportunities. As she learns more about the plight of these workers, Marianne struggles with her deception toward them and tries to rationalize that it’s for the greater good. A longtime passion project for star and Academy Award®-Winning Actress Juliette Binoche, BETWEEN TWO WORLDS is adapted from Florence Aubenas’s bestselling non-fiction work Le Quai de Ouistreham (The Night Cleaner) and marks Emmanuel Carrère’s return to directing for the first time since THE MOUSTACHE in 2008. Carrère has achieved world renown and acclaim as an author and has been described by The New Yorker as “France’s best-known writer of literary nonfiction.”

For in-depth thoughts on Between Two Worlds, please see my colleague Matt Minton’s review from its original theatrical release here. 

Video Quality

Between Two Worlds comes to Blu-Ray with a gorgeous 1080p presentation that brings this story to life quite well. The slightly cooler color palette supplies a nice depth in elements of the lighting, clothing and production design. Skin tones look very detailed and natural all around. Highlights are handled admirably with no hint of blooming in sight. The black levels are notably deep and do not appear to suffer from any compression artifacts. You will not spot any instances of intrusive digital noise in the presentation. This is a visually crisp but stylistically reserved film with detailed shots of hotel rooms and apartment interiors where you can see an incredible amount of texture. Cohen Media Group has offered up a top notch presentation for this one. 

Audio Quality

The film comes to Blu-Ray with a worthy DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track in the original French. Cohen continues their practice of utilizing forced subtitles which might be annoying to native speakers of the language. Dialogue and sound effects are balanced well with the score where nothing gets lost in the track. Surround channels get some decent activity with the ambience of the various environments. The movie features virtually nothing in the way of action, but there is a constant stream of environmental activity which comes through particularly well. The understated score accentuates the tone of the film as it flows through with flawless fidelity. The low end of the track is not a major presence, as subtle environmental sounds make more of an impression in the surrounds. This track does everything it needs to do. 

Special Features

• Theatrical Trailer: The minute-and-a-half long trailer is provided here. 

Final Thoughts

Between Two Worlds is a compelling watch as you both explore the draining working class life Marianne is attempting to uncover for the masses and observe the delicate charade she has constructed to gain this level of access. Juliette Binoche is terrific in this nimble role, yet many of the women who are working alongside her are just as magnetic, if not better. The film is understated, but ultimately it makes a large emotional impact which lingers as the credits roll. Cohen Media Group and Kino Lorber have released a Blu-Ray featuring a great A/V presentation and next to nothing in the way of special features. If you are a fan of Binoche or social issues dramas, this is worth your time. Recommended 

Between Two Worlds will be available to purchase on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital on September 12, 2023. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Cohen Media Group and Kino Lorber have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.