The fine actress Marion Cotillard shows her ability to fascinate and convince her audience in the film The Immigrant, now on Blu-ray and DVD. A tale of hardship, debauchery and despair, the film takes you into the life of a woman who sought freedom from oppression to one of despondency and a life of challenging choices. Able direction, strong acting support and convincing cinematography make this period piece a definite choice for those that like their drama gripping and emotional.
Emigrating from a foreign country to the United States from 1900 to1924 the reception at Ellis Island was not always a good one. This is the case of Ewa Cybulska (Marion Cotillard) who with her sister Magda (Angela Sarafyan) entered the great hall where millions had before her. In 1921 however, the intake officers were more dutiful, not letting criminals and the sick into the country. Waiting in the long line to get their chance to be selected for entry into America, a doctor checks for possible health problems.
He comes upon Magda who due to her coughing takes her out of the line for a more thorough medical check. It frightens Ewa and she’s told that Magda will be put in quarantine at the Ellis Island hospital for six months. When Ewa takes her turn at the Immigration Desk she’s told that there has been a report of her having sexual relations with some of the men on the ship and that she will probably be deported back to Poland. While waiting for the decision in another line she’s approached by Bruno Weiss (Joaquin Phoenix) who tells her he is with Traveler’s Aid and that he will help her. Trusting him to avoid deportation and be able to get her sister into the country she goes with Bruno.
So begins a struggle to stay alive in a strange new world where she is expected to make money for Bruno. Director James Gray (We Own the Night, Two Lovers) takes his audience back to 1921 New York where he spools out a wicked tale of woe. Dressing his piece in a ghetto, creating an atmosphere of despair yet hope, he exposes a world that’s heartbreaking and bleak for many. He turns the cameras on Cotillard showing the determination of one woman’s passion to find freedom.
Featuring the superb acting by Cotillard, she makes her character a despondent woman, strong in character and just cunning enough to face the challenge of a life she’s forced to lead. Her Ewa becomes a survivalist and a fighter who knows how to deal with men. When she comes across Orlando, played by Jeremy Renner, a spark of romance enters her life and gives her optimism. Cotillard has been featured in Inception opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for Two Days, One Night and played Monica with Clive Owen in Blood Ties.
Joaquim Phoenix gives a good performance as the pimp who makes his living from the women he’s ‘saved’ from being deported back to their countries. With special connections at Ellis he pays for his stable of the ladies who are expected to perform in his gentleman’s club Bandit’s Roost. Their real job is to work the audience for special favors. Sinister and brutal at times, he’s enamored over Ewa’s beauty showing her favoritism that catches the eye of the other in his den of iniquity.
Bonus Features: There are a couple of special features on the Blu-ray that are very good.
“The visual Inspiration of The Immigrant” a short bonus on how the film was captured on the screen from old photographs of 1920’s New York City and paintings from the era.
“Commentary with Writer/Director James Gray” turn this on after you have watched the film for a real treat. Gray goes over how the film was made, how he cast his actors and much more.
The video quality on the Blu-ray is exceptionally good. Transfered from screen to Blu-ray without distortion the HD presentation provides an amazing look into the past of the dingy, dank, depressed city of early New York and Ellis Island. It’s a visual treat in widescreen 1080p presented in letter box so nothing gets chopped off side to side.
The sound quality is crisp and clear throughout the presentation. The dialogue, music and sound effects come across nicely on a HD television with adequate speakers. If you have upgraded sound the enhancement adds to the drama played out on the screen.
The Immigrant has been rated R by the MPAA for sexual content, nudity and some language.
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Renner and Angela Sarafyan
Writer/Director: James Gray
MPAA Rating: R for sexual content, nudity and some language
Genre: Drama, Romance
Running Time: 1 hr. 57 min
Original Theatrical Release Date:
Video Release Date: April 7, 2015
Language: English and some Polish with subtitles
Format: Blu-ray, DVD
Audio: Blui-ray- DTS-HD Master Audio, DVD- Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: 1080p Widescreen Presentation Aspect Ratio 2.40:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: The Weinstein Company
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
