Written by: Michael Den Boer on February 2nd, 2011
Theatrical Release Date: Sweden, 2009
Director: Fredrik Edfeldt
Writer: Karin Arrhenius
Cast: Blanca Engström, Shanti Roney, Annika Hallin, Calle Lindqvist, Tova Magnusson-Norling, Leif Andrée, Maria Langhammer, Krystof Hádek, Emma Wigfeldt, Michelle Vistam, Vidar Fors, Mats Blomgren, Eleonora Gröning, Per Burell, Henric Holmberg
DVD released: February 8th, 2011
Approximate running time: 100 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo Swedish
Subtitles: English (Burnt-in)
DVD Release: Olive Films
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $29.95
Synopsis: A nine year old girl is left to her own devices. When the aunt who was supposed to take care of her. Unexpectedly disappears with her new lover.
At the center of this film is a story about a young girl, who is never named. And how she deals with the absence of her parents, who in Africa on vacation and her alcoholic aunt, who abandons her for a man she just met. The heart and soul of this film is this young girl’s journey and how she copes with each new obstacle that comes her way. And while her misadventures start off innocent enough. As her summer progresses the girl withdraws from the rest of the world. When things become unbearable after her closest friend survives a near fatal accident.
From a production stand point the film’s is flawlessly paced and the atmospheric cinematography reinforces the dreamlike quality to the story at hand. The cinematographer on The Girl was Hoyte Van Hoytema (Let the Right One In). Another area in which this film’s excels is the performances from its entire cast. Especially Blanca Engström in the film’s lead role of the unnamed protagonist. She’s gives a utterly convincing performance that ranks as one of the more mesmerizing acting debuts that I have seen in a very long time. Ultimately The Girl is a poignant tale about childhood.
The DVD:
Olive Films presents The Girl in an anamorphic widescreen that preserves the film’s original 2.35:1 ‘scope’ aspect ratio. This transfer has been flagged for progressive playback. There are no problems with compression and edge enhancement is kept in check. Colors look nicely saturated, flesh tones look healthy and black levels look consistently good throughout.
This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital Stereo mix in Swedish. None removable English subtitles have also been provided with this release. The audio sounds clear and balanced throughout. Being that this is a character driven drama. Don’t except to be wowed range wise. The music in the film benefits most range wise from this audio mix.
This release comes with no extra content. Overall The Girl gets a well rounded audio / video presentation from Olive Films.