Review of Shadow Hours

Introduction

This is yet another of those films that I`ve never heard of. This time there is a good reason - it never got a cinema release here in the UK, even though it first appeared in the USA at the Sundance Film festival in January 2000 (where it was nominated for the grand jury prize). It didn`t do very well at the box office in the USA, but Metrodome have decided to give it a release on DVD.

You can read the plot details up above, as they summarise the film without giving too much away.

Video

We are presented with a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer, which is virtually flawless. A few spots of dirt appear now and again, but this is a very clean and a very nice looking print.

The DVD copes well with some of the dark and forboding locations used, but there are also some lighter daytime scenes which look equally good. There are some very striking images on show here, and some quite graphic scenes that may not be to everybody`s taste.

Audio

A choice of DD2.0 stereo and DD5.1 soundtracks. I listened to the DD5.1 soundtrack, which is functional but not much more. The little surround action that occurs is handled well. The dialogue is always clear and crisp.

Probably the best thing is the soundtrack, which really adds life to the film with its pumping beats. You`ll also find a Moby track (as you will in most films and TV adverts nowadays!) as well as a track by Fluke which Sky Sports viewers might be familiar with.

Features

Oh dear, just a full frame trailer (which gives away too much), and a very grainy scrolling photo gallery, set to the aforementioned Fluke track.

Conclusion

A reasonably enjoyable but instantly forgettable film. When a film concentrates more on characters than big action sequences, surely you should care about what happens to those characters? I had a rough idea of what might happen, but I wasn`t really bothered either way.

There seems to be a message hidden in the film somewhere, but it can`t really work out what it is trying to say. Consequently it just flounders around presenting scenes of bondage, drugs, prostitution and the life of someone who works the night shift at a 24 hour petrol station.

Recommended if you fancy taking a risk on something a bit different, with a warning not to expect too much...