The three films Quentin Tarantino actually directed came out late this past August with deluxe DVD treatments, so it only seems fitting that the first film he wrote should get the same treatment. Although Tarantino wrote it, Tony Scott directed it, and did a fine job, but hopefully Tarantino will never have to let anyone else direct his scripts anymore.
The Film
Quentin Tarantino, the brilliant director behind the classics Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and Jackie Brown, wrote True Romance before any of those films, and it certainly shows. It displays some of his trademarks: rapid dialogue loaded with profanity, drugs, guns, bad guys, good guys, perverse relationships. It just lacks a certain spark, and I think that can be attributed to the film’s main stars, Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette.
Slater plays Clarence, who meets the beautiful Alabama (Arquette) at a movie, and they hit it off. Alabama confesses that she is a call girl and was hired to meet him there, but fell in love with him anyway, and the two lovebirds run off to start a new life together. They have to take care of some unfinished business first, namely Alabama’s boss Drexl Spivey (Gary Oldman, absolutely unrecognizable here). After dispatching him in a stunningly violent scene, Clarence and Alabama run off to California.
Unfortunately for Clarence, when he thought he was grabbing Alabama’s suitcase from Drexl’s place, he actually grabbed a suitcase full of heroin that belongs to the Mafia. They of course want it back, and chase Clarence and Alabama all over California. I of course will not reveal the resolution of the film, but trust me, it’s worth waiting for.
The best part of True Romance is the supporting cast. Dennis Hopper, Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Rapaport and James Gandolfini show up with small roles, and Val Kilmer adds a mostly off-camera role that renders him unrecognizable.
Video Quality
For this redone version, True Romance is presented in Anamorphic Widescreen, 2.35:1. It looks tremendous, as it was not that old (1993), and the treatment makes it look absolutely pristine.
Audio Quality
The choices are Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, Dolby Surround, and it sounds absolutely great. The numerous gun battles resonate, and the dialogue comes through clear and true.
Special Features
Well, it isn’t two discs for nothing. The commentary tracks are interesting, Slater and Arquette do the first one. Nothing terribly notable comes of it, but they seem to have fun with it. Tony Scott also does one, and it is a fairly standard director commentary. The third, and best is from Quentin Tarantino himself. It hardly matters what he says, he is just entertaining to listen to.
Disc 2 has all the standards we have come to expect, like deleted and extended scenes, and even an alternate ending. Some of the stars lend their voice for some commentary on these features. There’s also a documentary, photo gallery, and trailers and TV spots. It is certainly thorough.
Film: 7.0
Video Quality: 8.5
Audio Quality: 8.5
Special Features: 8.0
The 411: Well this could be one of the few DVD’s where the extra features overshadow the actual film. The movie itself is good, not great, but for anyone who has seen any Tarantino movies, True Romance should be required viewing as well. The treatment of the visuals and audio is outstanding, and the extra features present all anyone could want. If you are a fan of the movie at all, picking up this DVD would be a good buy.
