The Big Picture (2010/MPI Blu-ray)

 

Picture: B     Sound: B     Extras: D     Film: B+

 

 

Paul Exben (Roman Duris) is a man who has it all, a successful rich lawyer living in the heart of Paris with a wife, kids and a guaranteed future.  That is until he found out his wife has been having an affair with his neighbor, Greg, but after accidentally killing Greg in his rage instead of just getting rid of the body, he fakes his own death and takes Greg's place.  He then moves far away and starting his life over as Greg, the photojournalist, but when his pictures start getting fame and fortune, the people begin to question who is this artist?

 

Eric Lartigau’s The Big Picture focuses initially on Paul being the rich successful lawyer who had everything but what was important and secretly felt empty, sexually unsatisfied, unhappy and envied his freelance life of his neighbor.  His spoiled wife Sarah (Marina Fols) actually wanted his kids, a divorce, an sexual affair with the neighbor while still living the rich lifestyle from the money Paul earned, but even after killing his neighbor, covering his tracks, cutting all ties, and stealing someone's life and identity it is hard to remain anonymous.  Every bit of clues, his name, even the pictures he took could lead others back to finding out his past and then connect him to the murder, especially after his pictures becoming famous.  How long can he keep living a double life?

 

The French certainly love their dramas, love affairs and dis-functional families.  It is a story of how being rich doesn't bring happiness, and even if you try to run from the past, you can't hide from it.  Too bad in modern real life it isn't as easy to change or disappear, in the modern multi-cultural world you need ID and could be found/traced in a matter of hours or days.  Even living another person's life will soon get you caught, the smallest clue, hint could lead others to see the difference between the false self and one's real self.  Catherine Deneuve also stars.

 

The 1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image was shot on Fuji 35mm film in the Sup0er 35mm format (3-perf version) and looks good, which is good since it is one of the last films that will ever have used those now discontinued stocks.  The DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 lossless mix is consistent in soundfield throughout and well recorded as well, so we get more than a weak dialogue-based mix.  The only extras are trailers, but more would have been nice.

 

 

-   Ricky Chiang