Disc Reviews

Bound Blu-ray Review

7th Sep 2014

A little edgy thriller that was perhaps more reknowned for its lesbian context with a few nifty camera moves has matured now beyond the consensus of its own day and become a strong example of noir cinema today.

Jennifer Tilly plays Violet – the wife of a middle-man mobster looking for a way out of her marriage. That opportunity for a new start comes when ex-con Corky (Gina Gershon) hits the scene and makes an impression. It isn’t long before Violet and Corky are making eyes at each other. When a money opportunity also presents itself – both women find themselves in increasing danger as Violet’s unstable husband Cesar (Joe Pantoliano) becomes all the more unhinged before they get a chance to take the money and run.

The Matrix may have solidified the Wachowski’s career, but Bound is the film that put them on the map. And in retrospect it’s a shame that they haven’t gone back to that low budget noir well. The amount of creativity put into this script and behind the scenes is unfathomable on the budget they were working with.

The film is a certified template for future new film-makers to be looking at in terms of stretching the look of your film to make it look more expensive that it is. It’s also a key piece of work to study for its visual stylistics. There is plenty of camera trickery here and toying with convention. It truly is a modern noir classic, headed up with a host of commanding performances that are still some of the key roles in the careers of the key players.

Jennifer Tilly gets top honors for her role as the sultry Violet. Gershon is perhaps underutilised in the third act as the focus of the film is on Cesar’s meltdown and interplay with his wife. As Cesar, Pantoliano almost steals the film. But this is just further proof that the film is really a three-hander for the cast and sex is only a minor ingredient.

Arrow Video have managed to pull over the Commentary from the original disc release which includes the Wachowski’s as well as various cast and crew contribute to.

Thankfully Tilly, Gershon and Pantoliano have also shown up on more recent interviews on the disc to talk retrospectively about the film – which they do in depth praising the film-makers, fellow cast members and the overall look of the film which has stood the test of time.

This is a nice example of Arrow Video seeing how far out they can spread their wings in cult cinema, and it’s a decent disc to own of an excellent film.