Feeling confined by her well-mannered suburban environment, the pubescent Rita gradually attempts to test and break the expectations made of her. As she skips class to pursue her infatuation for a local bus driver as well as her own desires, her disapproving parents and classmates begin to question the motivation behind her provocations. However, Rita’s adolescent rebellions occlude a more sinister intention.

“A deliciously observed, ironic take on middle-class Austrian life,” (Variety) Jessica Hausner’s debut feature establishes her thematic interest in societal assimilation with a singular portrait of teenage recalcitrance. Newly restored in 4k and available for the first time in North America, LOVELY RITA remains just as shocking as it was during its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2001.

For thoughts on Lovely Rita, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:

Video Quality

Lovely Rita debuts on Blu-Ray courtesy of Film Movement with a digital AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its original 1.78:1 aspect ratio derived from a new 4K restoration that allows the film to look the best it possibly can. The primary thing to note about this feature is that it was captured using very early digital technology. While not quite as visually aggressive as something like Scarlet Diva, the results are similar and slightly challenging to evaluate by normal standards of transfers. There are scenes that look quite pleasant for the source, but these early forays into digital filmmaking are never going to have the personality of film. This restoration has taken pains to remain authentic to the techniques and technology used in capturing this film.

The presentation has some worthwhile detail given the source with some subtle facets in the domestic production design that are on full display thanks to this transfer. Colors are acceptably saturated with some pleasing shades in the outfits and elements of the production design. The highlights hold up decently depending on the environments, but black levels hold up even better with less in the way of crush, but there are still some weaknesses on this front. There are seldom blemishes or any sort of digital artifacts not inherent to the source. The base image lacks an overall sense of clarity that is not possible with this material. It has limitations, but it is authentic to the original presentation. If you go in with the proper expectations, you should love this presentation.

Audio Quality

The Blu-Ray disc comes with an LPCM 2.0 track and a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track in the original German with optional English subtitles. This track holds up pretty well with no serious instances of age-related wear and tear. Dialogue comes through clearly and rarely gets overshadowed by competing sounds. The surround sound channels provide a decent expansion of the soundscape, but it does not command much attention. Environmental noises and other sound effects are rendered deftly alongside everything else. Most sounds come through with solid fidelity. Film Movement has done a fine job with the audio portion of the disc.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Filmmaker Jessica Hausner provides a commentary track in which she discusses the landscape for women’s stories in film at the time this was made, what she wanted to accomplish with this story, working with the young performers, and more.

Flora: A 29-minute short film from Hausner that follows a young girl experiencing many different emotions in a cinematically detached manner.

Trailers & Promos: This disc provides the minute-and-a-half-long trailer for Lovely Rita. There are also trailers for Hotel, Lourdes, and Club Zero.

Final Thoughts

Lovely Rita is a respectable debut from the polarizing Jessica Hausner that captures the heartbreaking reality of youth and the effects of feeling isolated from your surroundings. The teenage mind can be shockingly rebellious even from the perspective of the most well-adjusted individual, and Hausner highlights the malicious mundanity with great care and without sentimentality. There are many things in here designed to make you squirm, but Hausner never rouses you without purpose. The performance of our young star is perfectly attuned to the needs of the film. Hausner is one of one and the fearlessness she brings to her debut is impressive. Film Movement has released a Blu-Ray that features an authentic A/V presentation and a few dynamite supplemental features. Recommended

Lovely Rita is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome.

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

Disclaimer: Film Movement and OCN Distribution 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.