A sculptor preparing to open a new show must balance her creative life with the daily dramas of family and friends, in Kelly Reichardt’s vibrant and captivatingly funny portrait of art and craft.

For in-depth thoughts on Showing Up, please see my colleague Larry Fried’s review from its original NYFF debut here.

Video Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Showing Up offers this modest film a more stunning presentation than we could have dreamed up. This release treats this movie with the desired respect, but the lack of an accompanying Blu-Ray makes it impossible to judge the degree of upgrade from the Blu-Ray also available exclusively on the A24 website. Skin tones appear to be beautifully detailed and natural with subtle facets apparent on faces such as perspiration, pores, and fine lines. The transfer reveals so much texture in the clothing, artwork, and natural environment.

The implementation of Dolby Vision/HDR taps into a level of perfection that we are so thrilled to be able to witness. The setting is very relaxed and natural, but there is much complexity to wring out of the visual aesthetic with vibrant colors and deep hues in the foliage. The increased range of the color spectrum is a major benefit to this production. The highlights in the film are steadfastly defined with whites stable and balanced with no instances of blooming. Black levels are likewise impressive, staying deep and inky with impeccable detail. A24 has delivered something special with this 4K UHD Blu-Ray release.

Audio Quality

This 4K UHD Blu-Ray comes with a top-notch Dolby Atmos track that gracefully accomplishes everything it sets out to do. Dialogue is the focus of the film, and it always comes through clearly without being trounced on by any competing sounds. The score from Ethan Rose and other music in the film emanates from the speakers with luxurious fidelity. The movie is pretty much the complete opposite of an action film, but it taps into textural qualities in certain moments.

This might be the last title you think of when it comes to the Atmos experience, but the utilization of the height channels makes the world feel more lived-in and three-dimensional. Ambient sounds are faithfully deployed in the rear channels to capture the nuances of the gentle locale. Kinetic sequences get no more exciting than a bird getting inside a house, but the environmental sounds of various interiors and student spaces engage the surround speakers in a nice manner. The audio track is truly exquisite. There are optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles provided.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Director Kelly Reichardt, Director of Photography Christopher Blauvelt, and artist Michelle Segre provide a great commentary track in which they discuss their work on the film, shooting on location, the production design and costumes, creating the artwork, what the actors bring to their characters, the challenges faced during shooting, technical elements, subtle moments that mean a lot and much more.

Short Films

- Bronx, New York – November 2019: A nine-minute look at a work of art being created.

- Cal State Long Beach, CA – January 2020: Another ten-minute look at a work of art being created.

Postcards: There are six collectible postcards featuring artwork from the film by Cynthia Lahti.

Final Thoughts

Showing Up is another low-key gem from the amazing Kelly Reichardt that honestly explores the artistic process through a brave and human lens. Michelle Williams is flawless in the lead role as a woman struggling with creative ambition and the inherent goodness she shelters within her. None of our characters are saints, but this allows them to function with authenticity. It is a wonder that simple movies like these can still be made and embraced by audiences. A24 has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray with a stellar A/V presentation and some welcome special features. If you are a Reichardt fan, this is a dream release. Recommended

Showing Up is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD and Blu-Ray exclusively at the A24 Shop.

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

Disclaimer: A24 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.