The irony of it all! (1 Viewer)

[Thomas T]

On the DVD of the offbeat comedy Gaudi Afternoon, director Susan Seidelman (Desperately Seeking Susan) offers commentary on an alternate track. As the end of the gorgeous main titles displayed in their full 2.35 Panavision glory come to their finish, Seidelman says "This was shot in Cinemascope (sic). I don't know if you're watching this letterboxed or not but you lost 40 to 45% of the picture if you're not". AS SHE'S SAYING IT, the titles end and the picture moves forward to fill up the screen and it's pan and scan for the rest of the film.
Too bad Seidelman didn't refuse to do the commentary unless the film was letterboxed or at least use whatever clout she may have had to at least offer both versions.

 

[Jason Whyte]

Wow, that's too bad!
If Seidelman were informed of this, she could have went back and said "Now you see it, now you don't!" :frowning:
Jason

 

[Jussi Tarvainen]

But why were you watching the pan&scan version anyway? Or is the film only available panned&scanned on DVD?

 

[Seth Paxton]

Well, maybe this was her little protest against it probably being P&S'd. I mean it's pretty common knowledge that right after the opening titles end films shift to P&S mode, so it's quite possible she anticipated this problem in the first place (like it could go either way and was out of her control) so she made sure to stick her point in their while she could.

 

[Thomas T]

Jussi, the film is only available in P&S. It's got a great cast: Judy Davis, Marcia Gay Harden, Lili Taylor and Juliette Lewis.

 

[SteveK]

That's the kind of comment I think more directors should make. Of course, it may be questionable how many P&S fans listen to commentary tracks anyway, but certainly an occasional reminder from a director about how much they're missing might eventually convince them. But again, it's highly doubtful that many people that insist on P&S would listen to any commentary track.

Steve K.