- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,271
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
The final of the latest Best Picture trilogy from Warner Bros, Driving Miss Daisy (1989) has been the newest missing Best Picture Blu-ray. That honor now falls to Paramount's Terms of Endearment (1983). I love everything about this film, beginning with the extraordinary performances, onward to Bruce Beresford's direction, the score by Hans Zimmer, and Peter James' glorious cinematography, which I'm certain will cause someone, somewhere, hopefully on another site, to question whether Warner's new Blu-ray is out of focus, or the possibility that it might look just as good on standard def. It won't. The beautiful, softly luscious cinematography is reproduced here magnificently, as only it can be on Blu-ray. The textures and color in this film are a delight. Warm and luminous, without losing the reality of color and blue skies. Have I mentioned that I love this film? A number of years ago, I was working on a project, and after seeing them around, realized that Ms. Tandy and Mr. Cronyn were also in residence. We'd not been introduced, and I presumed that they'd never to come over to chat with me because I looked either far too busy, or unapproachable. It was my norm to have dinner at the bar, and one evening, noting a waft of pipe smoke, I turned to find Mr. Cronyn heading my way. Not my way precisely, but toward an open seat at the end of the bar. After he kindly asked if his pipe smoking might offend me -- I believe I told him that if he was doing the pipe smoking it would not -- he joined me. He ordered a bit of food, and our conversation took off. It covered his work with Alfred Hitchcock (four films - two as an actor, and two as writer), inclusive of his casting in Shadow of a Doubt. A kind, unaffected gentleman, with quite a history in film. The discussion could not have missed hitting on my admiration for Driving Miss Daisy, and my respect for his wife, who about half an hour in, came by to tell him she was heading up. He kindly introduced us, and since our discussion had covered the basics of film restoration, and Lawrence, Ms. Tandy informed me that her first husband (I hadn't known that she was English) was Jack Hawkins. Wearing what at that time seemed to be a trademark gingham scarf on her head (I believe she was going through chemo treatments at the time), she excused herself and headed off to their room. I recall turning to Mr. Cronyn, and with a huge smile, telling him how thrilled I was to have finally met the "real" Blanche. I don't believe they make people like them anymore. That mold has been broken. As to the new Blu-ray from Warner Bros., to my eyes and ears, it appears perfect in every way. One of the most beautiful and special films ever created, finally available as a Perfect Blu-ray. Image - 5 Audio - 5 Extremely Highly Recommended. Especially for under $20. RAH