Passion Blu-ray Review

Actors: Rachel McAdams, Noomi Rapace

Directors: Brian De Palma

Format: AC-3, Blu-ray, DTS Surround Sound, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: English, German

Subtitles: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: R

Studio: Entertainment One

Release Date: November 5, 2013

Run Time: 101 minutes

 

 

 

        There may be some stylistic reminders that Passion is directed by Brian De Palma, but the faults riddled within this nonsensical film make that revelation more depressing than deserving of praise. In his earlier career De Palma was accused of constantly being an Alfred Hitchcock copycat, but this latest endeavor is too unfortunate to even be compared to De Palma’s earlier work, much less anything from the master of suspense. Passion is an unfortunate film on many levels. Despite the polished look of the movie and a solid cast, there is hardly a glimmer of originality in the story itself. Suspense leads to a series of sadly unimpressive twists and reveals, ultimately leaving the audience with nothing more than any hour-long murder mystery show could provide in half the time.

 

        Rachel McAdams and Noomi Rapace are two executives working at the German division of a successful advertising agency, backstabbing each other as they scramble to the top of the food chain. Christine Stanford (McAdams) runs the agency, though she is eager enough to receive a promotion to the head office in New York that she is willing to steal credit for the work done by her protégé, Isabelle James (Rapace). Isabelle also has a protégé, named Dani (Karoline Herfurth), and it would appear that the female debauchery in the workplace is passed on from one female co-worker to the next.

 

        At first the rivalry between Christine and Isabelle is merely over the credit for the work, but it quickly becomes more personal. Isabelle is sleeping with Christine’s boyfriend (Paul Anderson), and Christine utilizes the building’s security cameras to embarrass Isabelle. The rivalry is always carried out with a smiling face, right up to the point it turns into murder.

 

        The Blu-ray release for this entirely mediocre outing includes an interview with De Palma and his two female leads. The photography has the signature look of a De Palma film, which is certainly at its best in high definition. Unfortunately, there is little else impressive within the movie, and attractive photography only goes so far.

 

       

Entertainment Value: 5/10

Quality of Filmmaking: 5/10

Historical Significance: 5/10

Disc Features: 3/10