A group of young women face the challenges and joys of motherhood while attempting to break free of the past in a delicate and hopeful study of women on the brink of new life from master directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne.

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Video Quality

Young Mothers arrives on Blu-Ray courtesy of Music Box Selects with a 1080p transfer after debuting on DVD just a handful of months ago. We wish the formats could have been released at the same time, but we are still grateful to have an HD option on physical media. Compared to the standard definition counterpart, the detail on display on the Blu-Ray provides some nice tactility within the production design and costumes. Shortcomings such as compression artifacts and other unwanted digital anomalies do not appear anywhere throughout the presentation. Colors are deep and bold with the proper level of saturation. The cinematography of the film maintains a natural look that thrives in high definition. Skin tones are consistent, and there are some impeccable facial details present, especially in close-ups. Black levels retain great shadow detail with no signs of crush, and highlights do not get too bright. This Blu-Ray release presents the film perfectly well.

Audio Quality

The Blu-Ray comes with a straightforward DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track in the original French which brings the story to life confidently. Dialogue is the star of the show, and it comes through clearly without ever being overshadowed by any music or sound effects. Directionality is rendered precisely so that sounds emerge from all the natural spots. Environmental sounds are a key part of the soundscape such as background chatter or various outdoor sounds, which lend a dynamic sensibility to each channel. There is a nice sense of activity in the film, and this track presents the movie exactly as it was intended. Any use of music gives the track an extra bit of vibrancy. This is a strong disc that gives the film a proper presentation. Optional English subtitles are included.

Special Features

Q&A with Directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne from the Institut Français London: A 37-minute interview with the filmmakers in which they discuss why they wanted to tell this story, the motivations behind certain narrative developments, finding the right performers for the role, and more.

Image Gallery

Theatrical Trailer (1:31)

Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring a new essay by film critic Lillian Crawford.

Final Thoughts

Young Mothers is a pretty strong effort from the Dardenne brothers, who still find new avenues to explore in familiar territory. The balance between the storylines is not always ideal, as some of the characters feel a bit underdeveloped, but the movie is quite effective when it reaches its full potential. This is typically achieved when the performers fully mesh with the natural style of the Dardennes, nearly making you forget you are watching a film. While not as sharp as their best work, it is more effective than many imitators. Music Box Films has released a Blu-Ray featuring a sterling A/V presentation along with a couple of welcome special features. Recommended

Young Mothers 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: Music Box Selects 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.