BLU-RAY REVIEW

Father Stu

Featured In Issue 262, July/August

Picture5
Sound4.5
WSR Score4
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
68182
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Language throughout
(Retail Price):
$34.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
125
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
6/14/2022
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Rosalind Ross
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

Based on a true story, "Father Stu" is an honest, funny and uplifting story about finding purpose in a most unexpected place. After surveying a terrible motorcycle accident, Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg) wonders if he can use his second chance to help others find their way –– and leads this former amateur boxer to the surprising realization that he is meant to be a Catholic priest. Despite a devastating health crisis and the skepticism of church officials and his estranged parents (Mel Gibson and Jacki Weaver), Stu pursues his vocation with courage and compassion, inspiring not only those closest to him, but countless others along the way. (Gary Reber)

Special features include the featurette "You Don't Know Stu: More About Father Stuart Long" HD 11:05), seven deleted scenes (HD 11:54), upfront preview and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 2.39:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, upconverted to 2160p with greater resolution and luminance, was photographed digitally in anamorphic Panavision® using the Red Camera system and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. Picture quality is generally good with natural imagery. Color fidelity is naturally saturated. Flesh tones are perfectly natural. Contrast is good. Black levels appear deep and natural. Shadows are revealing, Highlights appear naturally illuminated. Resolution is excellent with fine detail exhibited throughout. Facial features exhibits skin pores, lines, beards, mustaches and hair. Clothes are finely resolved. Object textures are finely resolved. This is a fine picture presentation that appears natural throughout. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack while dialogue focused has dramatic moments of dynamics with solid bass enhancement. An accident is a perfect example of bass enhancement to heighten tensions. Dialogue is intelligible with generally good spatial integration. Foley sound effects are perfectly synchronized. The music has a country flavor and well recorded with a wide and deep soundstage presence that aggressively extends to the surrounds. This is a well crafted soundtrack. (Gary Reber)