A dark-hearted neonoir comes to a boil under the bright Los Angeles sun, in British director Stephen Frears’s rousing adaptation of the novel by dime-store bard Jim Thompson, a film that raises pulp to the realm of existential tragedy. A possessive mother (Anjelica Huston), her cynical son (John Cusack), and his scheming, seductive girlfriend (Annette Bening) are career swindlers circling one another in an elaborate emotional confidence game that grows increasingly perverse as love and trust turn to betrayal and Oedipal undercurrents rise to the surface. In Frears’s first film made in Hollywood, the ever-assured director and his trifecta of magnetic actors conjure a moody, unstuck-in-time vision of toxic Americana.
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Video Quality
The Criterion Collection presents The Grifters with a fantastic 2160p HDR/Dolby Vision transfer in its original 1.85:1 sourced from a 4K scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative that has been supervised and approved by director of photography Oliver Stapleton. When the film was released theatrically, the prints were made using a bleach-bypass method for a creative effect that yielded a high-contrast image while sacrificing saturation. Previous home entertainment releases have not achieved this intended effect, but Criterion has worked with Stapleton to restore the film to its intended aesthetic. The film was previously released over a decade ago in 2013 on Blu-Ray with an older transfer by Echo Bridge Entertainment, but we do not have access to that release making comparisons impossible. By all accounts, that was a poor release, and this new restoration is very striking taken on its own terms.
This transfer retains a stellar amount of natural film grain which resolves flawlessly, allowing for a plethora of fine detail to emerge. Elements of the production design and costumes reveal discrete facets that you can explore fastidiously with this transfer. There are no tell-tale signs that any grain reduction or digital manipulation has been applied, as you get a fine sheen that resolves evenly without swarming or clumping. Any print damage has been completely eradicated with no speckling, dropped frames, or other such eyesores.
The new Dolby Vision transfer faithfully captures the stylized look of the film as discussed above. The distinct aesthetic conjures a neo-noir feel that suits the needs of the narrative. The constant barrage of shadows and overall darkness maintains its depth and does not succumb to crush or noise. Highlights are handled effortlessly without any blooming as whites shine with a firm brilliance. Every scene and location appears to be properly brought to life with this terrific new HDR grade. This is not a film bursting with splashy hues, yet everything supports the overall vision of the film. One of the greatest benefits of this 4K UHD experience is how the film perfects its contrast. This transfer is an S-tier effort for fans of the film, and we appreciate that the Criterion Collection has given it a chance to shine.
Audio Quality
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio remaster which allows this one to sound as formidable as necessary. The Elmer Bernstein score is used perfectly to establish the mood of the narrative, and this track delivers every element without stumbling throughout the film. Dialogue primarily stays anchored in the center channel as it flows through clearly. Environmental sounds are accurately brought to life alongside everything else. The low end response introduces some texture to the proceedings, although this is miles away from an action-packed narrative. Every element is properly balance so that dialogue comes through clearly. There do not seem to be any notable instances of age-related wear and tear. The Criterion Collection has given this film the perfect audio experience. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.
Special Features
The Criterion 4K UHD Blu-Ray of The Grifters includes a foldout pamphlet featuring the essay “City of Angles” by film critic Geoffrey O’Brien which explores the themes, the source material, and more that is very illuminating. The on-disc special features are as follows:
- Audio Commentary: Director Stephen Frears, actors John Cusack and Anjelica Huston, and screenwriter Donald E. Westlake deliver a commentary track from 2013 that was seemingly recorded separately and edited together in which they take you through the evolution of the script, memories from the production, working with the performers, and more.
- The Making of The Grifters: A 17-minute featurette from 2013 featuring interviews with John Cusack, Stephen Frears, Anjelica Huston, Donald E. Westlake, and production designer Dennis Gassner, Through these interviews you learn about the development of the script, the casting of the ensemble, the production process, the release of the film, and more.
- Annette Bening: A new 20-minute interview with the actress in which she discusses first meeting Stephen Frears, her initial reaction to the script, what she brought to her character, getting a new hairstyle for the character, the collaborative process, and more.
- Seduction, Betrayal, Murder: A 75-minute piece from 2018 with director Stephen Frears, cinematographer Oliver Stapleton, editor Mick Audsley, executive producer Barbara De Fina, and co-producer Peggy Rajski that dives deep into the creation of this feature.
- The Jim Thompson Story: An eight-minute featurette from 2013 with screenwriter Donald E. Westlake and Thompson biographer Robert Polito that explores the career of the author of The Grifters.
- Trailer (1:47)
Final Thoughts
The Grifters is a cool, dark-hearted neo-noir that builds and transfixes until the very last frame. The performers are at the top of their game as these characters whose allegiances are always in question. Director Stephen Frears captures this story with a confident hand as you have many memorable shots and very little fat on the narrative. This one is worthy of another turn in the spotlight. The Criterion Collection has delivered a new 4K UHD Blu-Ray that offers a top-tier A/V presentation and some valuable special features. If you are a fan of the genre, this is a must-buy. Highly Recommended
The Criterion Collection edition of The Grifters will be available to purchase on 4K UHD and Blu-Ray on January 21, 2025.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: The Criterion Collection 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.
