Anesthesia is a bit uneven in its storytelling with some elements not quite coming together as others, but the performances by Sam Waterston and Kristen Stewart, with honorable mention to Gretchen Mol, makes for a more than watchable drama particularly for those who enjoy ensemble pictures.
Anesthesia
(2016)
Genre(s): Drama
MPI Media Group | R – 90 min. – $29.98 | June 21, 2016
Date Published: 07/06/2016 | Author: The Movieman
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THE MOVIE — 3.0/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: A snowy New York City night, a beloved teacher, a shocking crime: Anesthesia is a provocative drama that pieces together the puzzle of a man’s life just before it changes forever. While on his way home one evening, Walter Zarrow (SAM WATERSTON), a popular Columbia University philosophy professor, is violently attacked on the street. Flashing back one week to the beginning of a domino effect of events that led up to this seemingly senseless assault, actor-director Tim Blake Nelson traces hidden connections between an apparently disparate group of people—including a self-destructive student (KRISTEN STEWART), a hard-drinking suburban housewife (GRETCHEN MOL), and a desperate junkie (K. TODD FREEMAN)—forming a complex, engrossing mosaic of lost souls united by tragedy.
Quick Hit Review: Admittedly, I’m a sucker for these interconnect ensemble dramas (save for Gary Marshall’s holiday films) and while Anesthesia is hardly perfect — and doesn’t hold a candle to something like Magnolia — and there are better ones out there, it’s a movie at its worst filled with solid performances and at best, in particular with Sam Waterston and, surprisingly enough, Kristen Stewart, has some wonderful, almost award-worthy achievement on both of their parts. Written and directed by Tim Blake Nelson, who has a small role playing Waterston’s son, and husband to his wife (JESSICA HECHT) dealing with a health scare, Anesthesia isn’t perfect with some heavy-handed and a bit of forced messaging, yet thanks to the performances, it’s at least a worthwhile viewing especially for those who enjoys ensembles. I’m not sure how well it’ll hold up a year or two from now, though I suspect it’ll be lost in the shuffle of numerous other indie dramas that come and go. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 0.5/5 |
| The only feature is the Theatrical Trailer (2:03; HD). |
VIDEO – 3.75/5 |
| MPI releases Anesthesia presented in its original 2.40 widescreen aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition transfer. Detail is decent enough though colors did look a tad washed out but I doubt that’s a cause of a bad transfer but instead of an indie-limited budget. Still, it’s a fine looking video that is free of any dust marks, aliasing and other flaws. |
AUDIO – 3.5/5 |
| The disc comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track (as well as PCM 2.0) offers mostly crisp and clean dialogue levels while the music, composed by Jeff Danna, comprises the bulk of the front and rear speakers. It’s nothing amazing or overly robust, but for a drama it plays well. |
OVERALL – 2.5/5 |
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Overall, Anesthesia is a bit uneven in its storytelling with some elements not quite coming together as others, but the performances by Sam Waterston and Kristen Stewart, with honorable mention to Gretchen Mol, makes for a more than watchable drama particularly for those who enjoy ensemble pictures. The Blu-ray is a bit disappointing with so-so video/audio transfers and basically no bonus material. |
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.