Stars:
Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney, Danielle Von Zerneck, and
James Le Gros
Writer:
Tom DiCillo
Director:
Tom DiCillo
Feature
length: 92 minutes
Extras:
Director’s Commentary, Interview With Tom DiCillo and Steve Buscemi, Deleted
Scene, Bonus Trailers
Languages:
English Stereo
Sound
Subtitles:
English Closed Captions
Packaging:
Amaray Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 28
Sound:
Stereo Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 1995/DVD Release: 2003
Theatrical
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Home
Video Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
MPAA
Rating: R
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
On
the wall of the student lounge in the film department where I studied as an
undergraduate there was a large painted sign that read “FILM IS HELL!” I
learned very quickly in my production classes what that meant in the trials and
tribulations of making student films with old equipment that was too few for too
many students, student actors who were unreliable, fellow film students who
could care less about my film assignments because they are worried about
finishing their own, dispassionate professors who only care about what’s on
the screen and will not except any excuses, and then somehow or someway either
on or before final screening day something came together by accident or by act
of God and suddenly my confidence was back, I made it through hurdles, the short
film was completed, and my love for film was renewed. Now imagine making an
independent feature film, amplify the anxiety level by a couple of thousand at
least and pretty much you have an idea of what “Living In Oblivion” is
about. I think regardless of whether or not one has been on a set of any kind of
production there is no denying that “Living In Oblivion” has a ring of truth
to it. It just feels real, which is perhaps the ultimate irony of any film about
making movies could hope to achieve.
Originally
shot as a 16mm piece, DiCillo raised the money and expanded the film into a
feature with the second and third parts shot on color and black and white 35mm
film. DiCillo gives a very candid feature length audio commentary on this DVD
and he articulates in more detail much of what I have stated above and also
completely denies the rumor that the James Le Gros’ character was based in any
way, shape, or form on actor Brad Pitt, who was originally cast in the role, but
had to drop out because of scheduling conflicts while acting in “Legends Of
The Fall.” Both DiCillo and Steve Buscemi also participate in an interview
recorded in May of 2002 after a screening of “Living In Oblivion” at the
“Golden Age Of Cinema Film Festival” (16.42). The interview compliments that
feature commentary very well and is equally candid. A (1.33:1) deleted scene
(2:33) is also included along with bonus trailers for “Auto Focus” (1:59),
“Love Liza” (2:25), and “The Big Picture” (2:23).
The
film itself is presented in an anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) aspect ratio with
a clear English Stereo Soundtrack. The film looks very good on DVD and shows no
compression anomalies whatsoever. The opening act in 16mm is not as sharp as the
35mm balance, but that is understandable and not at all a defect in the DVD
mastering. English Closed Captions for the hearing impaired are encoded on to
the DVD as well. The disc menus are standard interactive still frames that are
easy to navigate.
Worth
viewing for anyone with an interest in the darker side of independent film
production, “Living In Oblivion” will debut on DVD-Video on Tuesday,
February 11, 2003 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.
©
Copyright 2003 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.