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EATING RAOUL
EATING
RAOUL ($20) is a culinary comedy of
bad taste and even worse manners- perhaps that is probably why I like this
little, low budget film so much. Co-writer/director Paul Bartel stars in EATING
RAOUL as Paul Bland, who, along with his wife Mary (Mary Woronov),
hope to open a little bistro out in the country. Although they have found
the perfect place to open their gourmet restaurant, their finances aren’t
as good as their intentions. When a guest from the swinger’s party next
door stumbles into their apartment and attacks Mary, the Blands quickly
discover themselves with a dented frying pan, a dead body and a wad of
cash in their hands. Soon, the Blands are engaged in a new "business
venture" that they hope will fund their restaurant. However, the
money really starts rolling in when an enterprising thief named Raoul
(Robert Beltran) becomes their new "business partner." The cast
of EATING RAOUL also features Susan Saiger, Hamilton Camp, Buck
Henry, Ed Begley Jr. and Edie McClurg.
Columbia
TriStar Home Entertainment has made of EATING RAOUL available on
DVD in a 1.85:1 wide screen presentation that features the anamorphic
enhancement for 16:9 displays. EATING RAOUL is certainly not the
most attractive DVD every released by Columbia TriStar, although they
really can’t be faulted for how the film looks. The inexpensive film
stock upon which EATING RAOUL was shot hasn’t aged very well, and I don’t
remember the film looking any better twenty-plus years ago. The image on
the DVD is a bit soft, not to mention having a somewhat noticeable grain
structure, but this transfer still outclasses everything that has preceded
it. Colors appear fairly natural without fading or any other significant
age related problems. The hues are generally stable, although some of the
warmer and more intense colors can get a bit fuzzy. Blacks seem reasonably
accurate, as do the white. Shadow detail and contrast are decent. Despite
its age, the film element displays few blemishes. Digital compression
artifacts are never a problem.
 .
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As for the Dolby Digital stereo
soundtrack, it gets the job done without any significant flaws. Dialogue
is always completely understandable, and there is relatively little
background hiss. Musical fidelity is a bit truncated, but it is never too
bad. No other language tracks are provided, although English and French
subtitles are included. The basic interactive menus allow one access to
the standard scene selection and set up features, as well as bonus
trailers for BIG SHOT’S FUNERAL, THE DARK CRYSTAL and MONTY
PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL.
EATING
RAOUL is a delightfully deviant
little black comedy that still manages to tickle a few ribs (not to
mention sticking to them). Now this may not be the best looking DVD on the
market, but this is the best EATING RAOUL has ever looked in the
home venue. If you are a fan, you’ll want to add this twisted little
title to your collection.
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This DVD review
is brought to you by
THE CINEMA LASER
Eating Raoul (1982)
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