Blu-ray Review: Shane Carruth’s ‘Upstream Color’ Gets More Riveting with Repeat Viewing

CHICAGO – I’ve always adored movies that get people talking, whether they agree with me or not. Movies should provoke discussion and no film this year has provoked more than Shane Carruth’s divisive “Upstream Color,” already available in a simple Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with no special features. Don’t worry. The movie is special enough.

Rating: 4.5/5.0

I have given up trying to convince people of the brilliance of a film that I have seen three times and eagerly anticipate watching again (I highly doubt I’ll watch any 2013 film more). I totally get if “Upstream Color” doesn’t work for you. It’s not going to work for everyone. It’s poetry, not prose, and films with this unique a narrative style are bound to divide people. However, I think everyone should see it. We too rarely see films these days that inspire conversation. I know some people I respect who hate “Upstream Color” and yet I’ve had fascinating conversations with them about it. No one can deny that Carruth has an ambitious vision and ambition inspires discussion. I think “Upstream” gets more rewarding every time I see it (which makes it a great pick-up on BD/DVD, which has a great transfer). I’m not asking you to love it like I do and see it repeatedly but please see it once. You may not like it but you won’t regret it.

My theatrical review [9].

Upstream Color was released on Blu-ray and DVD on May 7, 2013
Photo credit: New Video

Synopsis:
A woman (Amy Seimetz) is abducted and hypnotized with an organic material harvested from a specific flower. When she falls for a man (Carruth), the two come to realize he may also have been subjected to the same process. They search urgently for a place of safety within each other and struggle to assemble the fragments of their wrecked lives, unknowingly drawn into the life cycle of a presence that permeates the microscopic world.

Special Features:
o None

[10]	By BRIAN TALLERICO [11] Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com [10]