Having never seen Lana and Lilly Wachowski’s second feature, I was immediately intrigued when I saw it was being added to the Criterion Collection. Knowing quite literally nothing about the movie other than the fact that it was a Wachowski picture with Jennifer Tilly (Bride of Chucky) and Gina Gershon (Face/Off) (amongst others), I was so very curious to see what they were doing before they changed the way people viewed cinema forever. While Bound (1996) may not redefine cinema and science fiction like The Matrix (1999) did, it certainly is an excellent film that explores sexuality, crime, love, and lust in a similar style to Thelma and Louise (1991) while being so drastically different both visually and narratively. Truly a great career notch for the Wachowskis that hopefully garners more love than it had before (as I previously stated, I had never even heard of the movie, let alone seen it).
Gina Gershon as Corky in BOUND. Photo courtesy of The Criterion Collection.
The film focuses on Corky (Gina Gershon) and Violet (Jennifer Tilly) as they begin a romantic entanglement with one another as they’re trying to get rich quick and take down whoever they have to in the process. To do so, they hatch a scheme to rip off the mafia and make the fall guy Violet’s boyfriend Caesar (Joe Pantoliano). Now, while hatching this plan, there are a lot of moving parts, including praying on Caesar’s distain for Johnnie Marzzone (Christopher Meloni) and having him be the fall guy for the assumption that he set up Caesar in ripping off mob boss and Johnnie’s father Gino (Richard Sarafian). Not too complicated right? Just setting up your boyfriend to assume the son of notorious gang leader and mafia aficionado screwed you and you’re now having to take the fall. Of course this plan eventually falls apart and chaos simply starts to spill over in this sexy crime thriller from some of cinemas most provocative minds, The Wachowskis.
L-R: Joe Pantoliano as Caesar and Jennifer Tilly as Violet in BOUND. Photo courtesy of The Criterion Collection.
Before continuing to talk about the excellent quality of film that Bound is, its important to discuss the importance of Criterion itself. Without having ever seen Bound previously, there is nothing to compare it to, but this new 4K restoration is of the unrated international version of the film and was supervised and approved by cinematographer Bill Pope (Baby Driver; The Matrix). It is clear that this presentation of Bound is presumably better than any other incarnation of the movie because of how clean and crisp it simply looks. This is a 4K restoration done right: the colors pop, the hues shine, and there is still grain so nothing is scrubbed and devalued of presence. This is a beautiful looking transfer that simply shines through and through. In addition to this, it also comes with a Blu-ray of the film which comes packed with special features. This seems to be something hit or miss with criterion with the 4Ks coming with Blus, but if you’re not yet upgraded to 4K for the minimal price difference, it’s worth the investment alone to future-proof the collection here.
While diving into the features of Bound, it does not appear there are new ones with the exception of the video essay from film critic Christina Newland and an essay by scholar McKenzie Wark. However, the video essay providing lots of insight with the addition of the six programs featuring interviews with the cast and crew, and commentary from the Wachowskis, Gershon, Tilly, Pantoliano, editor Zach Staenberg (The Matrix; Speed Racer), and technical consultant Susie Bright (X-Rated 2: The Greatest Adult Stars of All Time!), the features are bountiful (no pun intended) and mixed with the beautiful restoration and new cover art by Drusilla Adeline/Sister Hyde Design, Bound is certainly bound to be part of any worthy collection.
L-R: Joe Pantoliano as Caesar and Jennifer Tilly as Violet in BOUND. Photo courtesy of The Criterion Collection.
Now, back to Bound itself as a film. This is a type of film that no matter how tantalizing the script and direction are, everything will fall apart if the cast doesn’t have the “It” factor. Thankfully there is nothing more engaging and entrapping than the chemistry shared between Gershon and Tilly. These two have everything a director (or pair of) ever could dream of and more. Their chemistry is butter, and every scene they’re in together is delectable. With the supporting cast of Pantoliano and Meloni brining their A games, too, to create that tense underbelly of destruction, Bound manages to gag the audience with fantastic performances that transcend past the screen and chemically alter your brain to understand the sheer brilliance that just unfolded.
A scene from BOUND. Photo courtesy of The Criterion Collection.
While Bound may be, to some, a lesser-known Wachowski film (after watching the beautiful master from Criterion in glorious 4K), it belongs in the same conversation as The Matrix and V for Vendetta (2005) (which they also wrote for the screen). Bound is simply a beautifully chaotic film that is equally balanced by the beautiful transfer. Make sure to run and don’t walk to your local supplier and get your hands on Bound to add to your shelf.
Bound 4K UHD Blu-ray Combo Special Features:
- New 4K digital restoration of the unrated international version, supervised and approved by cinematographer Bill Pope, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
- One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
- Audio commentary featuring directors Lana and Lilly Wachowski; actors Gina Gershon, Joe Pantoliano, and Jennifer Tilly; editor Zach Staenberg; and technical consultant Susie Bright
- New video essay by film critic Christina Newland
- Six interview programs featuring Gershon, Pantoliano, Pope, Staenberg, Tilly, actor Christopher Meloni, composer Don Davis, title designer Patti Podesta, and film scholars Jennifer Moorman and B. Ruby Rich
- Trailers
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by scholar McKenzie Wark
- New cover by Drusilla Adeline/Sister Hyde Design
Available on 4K UHD Blu-ray Combo and Blu-ray June 18th, 2024.
For more information, head to the official Criterion Collection Bound webpage.
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Categories: Films To Watch, Home Release, Recommendation
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