The Shipping News

The kind of mundanely well-tuned movie designed for the singular purpose of winning undeserved Oscars for its award-avaricious studio, Miramax, The Shipping News boasts an impressive roster: based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by E. Annie Proulx, it's directed by Lasse Hallström (Chocolat, The Cider House Rules) and stars Kevin Spacey, Julianne Moore, Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett (who have 10 nominations and three wins between them). But for all the talent involved, the film makes no kind of resounding impression, except one of overwhelming self-importance. Spacey cobbles together various mannerisms we've seen before into a new configuration as a miserable milksop of a man who returns to the barren, wind-belted Newfoundland coastal town of his ancestors on a journey of self-discovery after the death of his unfaithful trailer tart wife (Blanchett). Convincing--but unremarkable and distant--performances serve the undercurrent of battened-down emotions and painful secrets. But otherwise Hallström seems to be busy making the kind of highbrow, heartstrings melodrama that has become a pallid hallmark of the awards season--although this one didn't snag a single nomination. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include a 20-minute-plus behind-the-scenes "Dive Beneath the Surface of The Shipping News" featurette with cast and crew members on location in Newfoundland; audio commentary with director Lasse Hallstrom, writer Robert Nelson Jacobs, and producers Leslie Holleran and Linda Goldstein Knowlton; and an extensive photo archive with "behind-the-scenes," "portraits," and "scenic views" sections. Bottom line: a nice set of extras for a so-so film.] (R. Blackwelder)[Blu-ray Review—Mar. 26, 2013—Echo Bridge, 111 min., R, $14.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2001's The Shipping News features a nice transfer and a DTS 5.1 soundtrack. Bonus features include a behind-the-scenes featurette (24 min.). Bottom line: a fine Blu-ray debut for an uneven adaptation of Proulx's prize-winning novel.]