A former boxer embarks on the fight of her life when she goes in search of her missing sister. Catch the Fair One is a taut thriller and second feature for Tribeca “Best New Narrative Director” winner, Josef Kubota Wladyka, and a star-making debut for professional boxer, Kali Reis. Kali is the first Native American fighter to win the International Boxing Association middleweight crown and she fought in the first female boxing match ever televised on HBO. She is currently the WBA Super lightweight champion.
For in-depth thoughts on Catch The Fair One, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:
Video Quality
Catch The Fair One comes to Blu-Ray with a striking AVC encoded 1080p transfer that showcases the aesthetic of the film really well. The cinematography features few pops of color with everything appearing to have a slightly soft, hazy quality about it. This is a dark film with most of the action taking place either at night or in shadows. Black levels are admirable but could stand to be a bit deeper with some banding apparent. Despite this, the picture is mostly clear with only brief instances of murkiness during a few of the darkest scenes. Where the transfer really stands out is the impressive level of detail both in the clothing and the production design. Everything from the gritty interiors to the texture of the costumes is quite impressive. Skin tones are natural throughout with some impeccable details present in certain shots. Overall, this is an admirable transfer that should please fans.
Audio Quality
The film comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that has quite a bit of depth and is well balanced. Environmental effects play a notable role in the film, and this track brings these elements to life quite favorably. The use of the rear channels to create a fully fleshed-out world works quite well. The directionality is quite precise so sounds always radiate naturally when coming from their respective points. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear without being overwhelmed by any of the other sounds. The music maintains a pretty decent fidelity throughout. Activity in the low end is very not the most intense and is mostly used to add a bit of texture to some of the more kinetic moments. RLJE Films has delivered a great track for this film. There are optional English SDH subtitles provided.
Special Features
There are no special features provided on this disc.
Final Thoughts
Catch The Fair One pushes against the boundaries of believability at times, but at its best it is an incredibly tense look at the lengths one is willing to go to to protect the ones they love. This debut performance from Kali Reis is a staggering work of quiet intensity. The film is impeccably paced and keeps you firmly within its grasp the entire time. RLJE Films has released a Blu-Ray with a rock solid A/V presentation and a couple of brief special features. If you are a fan of revenge thrillers, but find yourself searching for a bit more character work, this film should fit the bill quite nicely. Recommended
Catch The Fair One is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: RLJE Films has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
