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The Movie:
Made before her period of popularity in "Speed", Sandra Bullock stars in the 1991 comedy that has her again going from the mild-mannered to the beautiful, as she did in "Miss Congeniality", also on DVD the same week. The film stars Tate Donovan as scientist Paul Matthews, a guy who's never had any luck with women - his friends think it would be best if he saw a gypsy named Madame Ruth(Anne Bancroft, in a fun cameo). She gives him a love potion - and although as a chemist he hardly believes the benefits, he eventually finds out it works.
Of course, it gets into the hands of partner Dianne(Bullock), and the two go about testing it on others before finding out that they're in love with each other. The film's good-natured attitude does help it become somewhat watchable, but it really can't escape the predictable elements and some moments that try too hard to be funny and fail.
The acting really isn't anything spectacular, either. Bullock has eventually molded her comedic persona into something stronger, quicker and sharper in later films. Here, she's simply rather bland. Donovan has not gone on to much else beyond this film, and for good reason - his performance is often dull here. Although the generic screenplay is largely at fault, neither actor gets us to care much about their characters.
Bullock has certainly made a nice comeback with "Miss Congeniality", but there are some early efforts in her career - including "Love Potion #9" (as well as "Fire On The Amazon") that I'd guess she would like to soon forget.
The DVD
VIDEO: Although I've been pleased, thrilled and even amazed by many of Fox's releases in the past year or so, this is not one of their better efforts. Sharpness and detail are not particularly great - there's a softness that hangs over the entire affair that's not as annoying at times, but occasionally gives the film a somewhat hazy look. Some darker interiors appeared especially murky.
The picture displays further problems along the way. Print flaws are visible in isolated instances, but there's more than I'd expect from film that's about 9 years old. In fact, Fox's recent release of the 1984 comedy "Bachelor Party" seemed to be in better condition. Some noticable pixelation also was visible in a couple of scenes, as well as a hint or two of edge enhancement. To my suprise, a few sequences also had some light grain.
Colors appeared dull and drab, and flesh tones seemed slightly off, as well. Although I would guess that "Love Potion #9" was never the most visually pleasing film, Fox really hasn't done a great deal for it with this new DVD edition.
SOUND: "Love Potion #9" is presented in Dolby 4.0 here, and the results are generally pretty uninspired. As a comedy, the film mainly focuses on presenting the dialogue and score. Quality of both seemed to come across as rather "flat" and dull, and the score by Jed Lieber often seemed to be stuck in the 80's. Overall, nothing much going on sound-wise.
MENUS:: Although the menus are not animated, I was suprised to see such elegant and beautiful looking menus for a film that's not particularly classy.
EXTRAS: A promotional featurette (3 1/2 min), TV spot, theatrical trailer, and trailers for "The Beach", "French Kiss", "Hope Floats", "Never Been Kissed" and "Prelude To A Kiss".
Final Thoughts: "Love Potion #9" is essentially a one-joke picture that does have a laugh or two, but there's not much to the characters or performances. Fox's DVD provides suprisingly mediocre video and audio quality, with only a couple of minor features.
Film Grade
The Film **
DVD Grades
Video 79/C+ = (316/400 possible points)
Audio: 83/B = (332/400 possible points)
Extras: 73/C = (249/300 possible points)
Menus: 75/C = (150/200 possible points)
Value: 80/B- = (240/300 possible points)
TOTAL POINTS:1287/1600
DVD GRADE:B-/80%
FILM GRADE: **
DVD GRADE: B-
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