DVD-Video / Single-Layer Disc / Region 1 DISC FEATURES Aspect Ratios: 1.85:1 Non-Anamorphic Widescreen Dolby Digital Formats: English 2.0 Surround Subtitles English Spanish Closed Captioning: English Standard Features: Interactive Motion Menus Scene Access Supplements: Theatrical Trailer List Price: $34.95 Released On: January 12th, 1999 EQUIPMENT NOTES Playback Monitor: Sony KV-32S22 32" Direct View DVD Player: Panasonic A110 (via S-Video) Surround Processor Technics SH-AC500D Dolby Digital and DTS Receiver Receiver: Technics SH-AC500D Dolby Digital and DTS Receiver Speakers: Sony Front, Rear, Center and Subwoofer via Monster Cable CONFUSED BY TERMS? Visit the Glossary Of Terms for help on understanding disc features and specifications. Also, visit our FAQs and Q+A for more tech help.
	Cousin Bette Fox Home Entertainment / 1998 / 110 / Rated R Reviewed by Jarod Musgrave on March 1, 1999
		Story: What's It All About? Some people would rather stare at the wall than watch a "period piece" or a "costume drama." Often this is because these people cannot identify with characters from a different time and place, speaking in thick English accents and often part of an elite social structure. This is certainly a valid criticism. Cousin Bette features the basic elements of this genre, but this story of treachery and revenge is accessible to the average viewer, and its plot moves forward rather briskly much to the delight of today's short attention spanned audience. In an 1846 Paris bedroom Adeline (Geraldine Chaplin) is dying, evidently of old age. The family fortune has been squandered by her young husband, who confesses to various infidelities, including Jenny (Elizabeth Shue). Before dying she has a last conversation with her cousin Bette (Jessica Lange). Adeline was beautiful, therefore the family thrust her into prominence ahead of Bette. Bette's jealousy caused her to try to drown Adeline many years ago, although Bette remembers it as an accident. Adeline asks Bette to look after her family. Bette says she will, but the tone of her voice indicates the contempt that Bette has for Adeline's family. The family includes a daughter (Kelly MacDonald from Trainspotting) that is hoping to soon get married before she becomes an "old maid" like Bette. Also her marriage might be a way for the family to escape from its burgeoning debt. Bette returns to her home located on the seedy side of Paris, where she secretly observes the nightly visit of a peasant. The peasant steals cheese from her mousetrap and drinks her wine, as he evidently has no other source for food. Bette confronts him and puts him to work as a sculptor. She shows some of his work to the daughter in order to make her jealous, but this plan backfires when the sculptor and daughter meet and they fall in love. But cousin Bette is not about to let the story end there.   This movie is successful because it has a sense of humor. Every character is subjected to ridicule or embarrassment as their weaknesses are exploited. None of the characters are very likable, and thus it is even easier to laugh at their misfortune. Jessica Lange's character is reminiscent of the manipulating character she recently played in Hush, although that was a much different film than this one, in both quality and tone. The performances are excellent, and I especially enjoyed Bob Hoskins and Kelly MacDonald. The costumes and sets lend authenticity to the 19th Century French locale. One thing I never understand is why so many films that take place in France use actors with English or American accents. They don't have to use French actors since the dialogue is in English, but it would be nice if these actors did at least try to speak with a French accent.   Video: How Does The Disc Look? The picture is not exceptional, but it is not lacking in any area either. There is barely any hint of digital artifacting. Colors seem somewhat muted, but this is probably the filmmaker's intent for a realistic representation of 1846 France. Nicks and scars are not in evidence, and black level is solid. I imagine that short of 16x9 enhancement this is as good as this film could look on DVD.   Audio: How Does The Disc Sound? The sound is two channel Dolby Pro Logic. Dynamic range is adequate, with explosions giving off an expected low frequency boom, although it's certainly not at the level of action movies. Directional effects are limited, and the surrounds are utilized only for a few ambient sounds and to add depth to the memorable score. Dialogue never sounds distorted, although the English subtitles are useful for those people who have problems deciphering thick English accents. For this type of film the sound is perfectly adequate.   Supplements: What Goodies Are There? The only extra is the trailer. The menus are quite generic. The DVD comes in the same type of keep case that Fox has used for most of its other releases. It has a "lift here" labeled indention for the DVD to be removed. But I've found that if I try to lift the DVD out using this indention the DVD bends awkwardly before popping out. I then tried pushing down on the middle area that is the method used in Amaray cases. Pushing down on the middle area with your thumb should cause the DVD to pop right out. The key is to not hold the case against a flat surface while you're removing the DVD, otherwise pressing in the middle has very little effect.   Parting Thoughts This film would be easy to recommend if not for the unreasonably high list price which towers over similar titles from other companies. But this would still be an excellent rental choice. »»  RETURN TO REVIEW DATABASE

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