Downloading Nancy – DVD Review

The Film:

Even by reading a film’s plot synopsis, one sometimes is unable to predict the the type of mood or where the film will go. Downloading Nancy is one such film, and after reading the plot description that goes something like this: Housewife Nancy (Maria Bello) wants to commit suicide and seeks out a stranger on the internet to do just that. But something unforeseeable happens as they fall in love. When the love starts to grow between her and the stranger (Jason Patric), she soon learns that he will be unable to kill her. You still cannot be aware of where this film goes. For any film, good or bad, that’s a good thing, to shake the audience and keep them on their toes, but for Downloading Nancy is the type of sucker-punch many won’t want.

I really had mixed reactions after viewing this film, as there’s a lot to respect and appreciate in here, but after that 102 minute mark when the somber music starts playing over the end credits, I can honestly say that I didn’t like the film. Luckily, I have to analyze what I saw, and what I saw was a strange, beautiful, and very dark film that went where it needed to go. You got to appreciate that, regardless, and I can honestly say as well, that a lot of people won’t like this film. Downloading Nancy is anchored by a subtle and really good performance by Maria Bello, an actress who always takes chances throughout her career. The character feels tailor made for Bello, as she can portray the abuse, saddened, and lonely like few actresses with such realism. Nancy is a mess. She’s a survivor of abuse-verbal and sexual-and while she’s attempting to seek psychiatric help, it isn’t working. Nor is her marriage. This is forcing her to reach out in more disturbing areas. She’s a cutter and is suicidal. If anything, Nancy is a ball of yarn that seems like one can unraveling it, yet you can’t.

Just that, and where she mentally goes, is enough for one film, yet Downloading Nancy adds more to it, especially in developing her husband’s bizarre motives and the stranger’s love affair with her. It’s a tough mix to formulate, and a lot of credit needs to be given to director Johan Renck has the film’s is well paced and edited.  The film isn’t for everybody; Nancy’s turn into sexual sadism is quite brutal and the film’s payoff isn’t as fulfilling in any sort. While life doesn’t have a closing chapter, film does, and without the proper payoff to spending 104 minutes with Nancy, one will surely leave the film with an unsatisfied flavor in their mouths. Downloading Nancy is one of those dark dramas, that you got to be in the mood for. All things considered, it was great seeing Rufus Sewell (Dark City) again, and Maria Bello is one brave female actress.

The DVD:

Audio/Video: Strand Releasing isn’t a company I’m familiar with, yet the DVD presentation was pretty good. The film isn’t a slick production, as the director chose lots of dark hues for the cinematography. The grain is suppose to be there, as the only flaw I noticed was the odd tiny bits of print damage. The audio is Dolby Digital Stereo, so we don’t get much in the way of music or surround FX, but for this film everything is okay. Overall, it’s an average DVD release from this company.

The only extra was a Trailer, along with some other Strand Releasing trailers.

Conclusion: Dark, sometimes brutal, it isn’t for many, but fans of something new and different should give it a rent.

The Film: Rating:

The DVD: Rating: