Description

The Grifters (Blu-ray Disc)

Criterion Collection | 1990 | 110 min | Rated R | January 21, 2025

Genres: Drama | ️‍♀️ Film-Noir | Crime | Thriller

Disc Specs

• Blu-ray Disc (BD-50)
• Video: AVC MPEG-4 | 1080p HD
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Original)
• Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Surround (48kHz, 24-bit)
• Subtitles: English SDH
• Region: A (Locked)

Movie

4.0/5

An elegantly brutal dive into the psyche of con artists. Stephen Frears directs with razor-sharp precision, while Anjelica Huston, John Cusack, and Annette Bening embody morally bankrupt characters navigating betrayal and ambition. A neo-noir gem with emotional resonance and venom beneath its stylish surface.

1080p Video Quality

3.0/5

✅ New 4K restoration downscaled for Blu-ray
✅ Based on cinematographer Oliver Stapleton’s personal bleach-bypass print

• Retains the grain-heavy, high-contrast aesthetic of the original theatrical release ️
• Slightly muted and cool-leaning color palette, though less aggressively tealed than the 4K disc
• Compression is solid overall, but a few darker sequences show minor artifacting
• Delineation, texture, and edge detail are generally excellent

➤ A respectable HD presentation—more balanced than the 4K version, though less sharp overall.

Audio Quality

5.0/5

DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 surround
️ Crisp dialogue, atmospheric ambient cues, and effective soundstage depth
Use Dolby Pro Logic decoding for fuller surround performance
Optional English SDH subtitles included

➤ A faithful and immersive audio experience—clean and cinematic.

Special Features (Blu-ray Exclusive)

️ Commentary

• Archival audio commentary featuring director Stephen Frears, actors John Cusack, Anjelica Huston, and screenwriter Donald E. Westlake
• Fantastic insight into the film’s tone, noir roots, improvisation, and character arcs

The Making of The Grifters (17 min)

• Archival feature with cast & crew on the adaptation, performances, and themes

Annette Bening Interview (2024 | 21 min)

• New interview reflecting on her breakout role, the screenplay, and working with Frears & Huston

Seduction, Betrayal, Murder (75 min)

• Archival behind-the-scenes doc with director, DP, editor, and producers discussing tone, visual style, and influence

The Jim Thompson Story (8 min)

• Archival segment exploring the author of the source novel, with commentary from his biographer and Westlake

️ Trailer (2 min)
Leaflet with an essay by Geoffrey O’Brien & full technical credits

Overall Score

3.5/5 – Solid, Safe, and Satisfying ♠️

This Blu-ray disc offers a slightly more natural color tone than its 4K counterpart
Stellar extras and restored audio elevate the presentation
Ideal for fans who want bonus features and balanced visuals — even if the 4K grading is too stylized for their taste