![Devil'S Double [Blu-ray]](/wp_content/uploads/2011/11/Devils_Double_BD_Ocard_3D.jpg "Devil'S Double [Blu-ray]")
THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE (2011, Blu-ray released November 22, 2011 – MSRP CDN 30.99)
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The Devil’s Double is, without a doubt, Dominic Cooper‘s movie. Though the daring script and stunning visuals will attempt to curry your favour and convince you that they are the true stars, Cooper’s portrayal of both protagonist and antagonist, hero and villain, truly steals the film. On the Blu-ray disc, however, the stunning transfer and soundtrack come a close second.
- “Based on a shocking true story, The Devil’s Double follows the riveting journey of Latif, a man forced to become the body double of Saddam Hussein’s ruthless son, Uday. Thrust into the debauched life of fast cars, easy women, and limitless power, Latif becomes virtually indistinguishable from the feared “Black Prince”. As war threatens Uday’s gangster regime, Latif realizes he must escape from the devil’s den – or die trying. “
You’d never know The Devil’s Double was a small, low budget film. Director Lee Tamahori (Once Were Warriors) ekes every iota of value out of every single location and prop. The film might not have had the budget to shoot in Iraq (and, apparently, most Iraqis can spot that a mile away) or license the ideal music (not that we, the viewing public, think any less of Dead or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round”) but with wonderful design, gorgeous shots, a great score and a killer cast, it gives the impression of being a sizable Hollywood production. But best of all is Dominic Cooper who simply owns the film, playing both Uday and his enslaved double, Latif. This is a star-making performance, with Cooper proving his thespian mettle by shifting effortlessly between the manic, psychotic behaviour of an over-privileged gun-toting madman and the downtrodden man he has beaten, imprisoned and threatened into becoming his double.
The Devil’s Double looks like a million bucks on Blu-ray. Lionsgate (via Alliance here in Canada) have afforded the film a high-bitrate transfer that really shines. There’s a bit of noise and some black crush every now and then but I wouldn’t be surprised if either are a result of the digital tinkering by the filmmakers themselves to achieve the look they’re after. The lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track is equally as impressive, offering a demo-quality aggressive and very immersive experience.
Special features are decent here but not mind blowing. The director’s commentary track is full of compelling information but it’s far from dynamic. Tamahori is a very serious and a very dry speaker. The short docs are all presented in HD (1080i) and feature a 16-minute “making of”, 9-minute look at Cooper and his transformation into both lead characters, and an 8-minute conversation with the real Latif Yahia, on whose story the film is loosely based.
Special Features:
- Audio commentary with director Lee Tamahori
- “Making of” featurette on the film
- Behind-the-scenes featurette on Dominic Cooper and his transformation into Latif and Uday
- An interview with the real Latif Yahia
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