Starring: Jason Bateman, Andrea Riseborough, Alexander Skarsgård, Hope Davis, Frank Grillo, Michael Nyqvist
Director: Henry Alex Rubin
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Lions Gate
DVD Release Date: September 17, 2013
Run Time: 115 minutes
Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Although “Disconnect” has a terrible box art, it drew me in with its impressive cast. Jason Bateman, Alexander Skarsgård and Hope Davis all give terrific performances in this very gripping and impressive drama. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was quite glad that I checked this film out. Not sure why it never made it in theaters, especially with Bateman’s success with “Identity Theif” and “Horrible Bosses” and Skarsgård’s draw from “True Blood”. I watch a lot of horror films personally and this was a nice change of pace and very engaging. It is also quite relevant in today’s times of everyone being disconnected, if you may, with smart phones, Facebook etc.
Official Premise: A hard-working lawyer, attached to his cell phone, can’t find the time to communicate with his family. A couple is drawn into a dangerous situation when their secrets are exposed online. A widowed ex-cop struggles to raise a mischievous son who cyber-bullies a classmate. An ambitious journalist sees a career-making story in a teen that performs on an adult-only site. They are strangers, neighbors and colleagues and their stories collide in this riveting dramatic thriller about ordinary people struggling to connect in today’s wired world.
Lions Gate packed in an impressive Blu-ray release. Included in a Blu-ray disc along with an Digital Ultraviolet copy included. The 1080p transfer and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 work for the film but don’t get pushed to far. The transfer is sharp and Max Richter’s score sounded great. The special features weren’t as impressive as the film. There is an audio commentary with Director Henry-Alex Rubin, which is a big waste of time to be honest. “Making the Connections: Behind the Scenes of Disconnect” runs nearly 30 minutes and is a great making-of feature with interviews from cast. “Recording Session of “On the Nature of Daylight” for Disconnect” is a short but neat look at a studio session for the film. Lastly there is a Theatrical Trailer included.