[AMAZONPRODUCTS asin=”B00KCFC9JI”]Dom Hemingway (Jude Law) is one of the best safe-crackers in the business. A raging alcoholic with a taste for cocaine, he would never be accused of lacking ego or confidence. Heck, the film opens with an extended shot of the title character receiving oral sex while discussing the greatness of his penis. It sets the tone for a character that will either make you laugh at every turn or just roll your eyes in disbelief.

Shortly after this ode to penile greatness, Dom is released from prison after a 12-year stretch. Convinced he’s owed the world for not ratting out Mr. Fontaine (Demian Bichir), one of France’s biggest crime bosses, Dom goes looking for payback. Joined by his friend, Dickie (Richard E. Grant), Dom returns to his old haunts, swilling beer and sniffing coke. While he certainly has a way with words, he not half the legend he believes himself to be. His lack of self control and penchant for destruction often leave him with no money and worse yet, no plan. For the most part, Dom just hopes his gift for wheeling-and-dealing will get him through, and somehow help him to find a way back in to the life of his estranged daughter, Evelyn (Emilia Clarke).

Looking like a seventies hooligan, there’s no doubt that Jude Law went at this role full throttle, delivering one of his best performances in a long time. He’s compelling to watch even when the character steps into the realm of the ridiculous. You get the sense that writer/director Richard Sherman (TV’s Salem) just let Law totally immerse himself in the character, and go with it. Hemingway is a man of excesses—quick to drink, fight, snort—with a confidence unrivaled by anyone except maybe a superhero. However, he moves so fast, he remains blissfully unaware how much of a train wreck he really is.

Even those who like Dom will likely admit the movie has some notable flaws, not least that the plot itself is pretty flimsy. The character and Jude Law’s performance is the reason to give Dom Hemingway a spin, the story itself doesn’t really go anywhere, relying on sentimentality to get viewers to the finish line.

Presented in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, this 1080p transfer offers excellent sharpness and deep, rich colors throughout. Contrast is absolutely perfect and skin tones look natural. Black levels are inky.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound mix isn’t particularly enveloping with the majority of sound emanating from the fronts. Rolfe Kent’s score and other rock songs on the soundtrack do receive some treatment in both the fronts and rears, but other effects—cars, trains, etc are front heavy. Dialogue has been well recorded and has been placed in the center channel.

English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Malay, Polish, Thai, and Vietnamese subtitles are included.

The following extras are available:

  • Audio Commentary with writer/director Richard Shepard is enjoyable, as he provides both reminiscences of the filming and more technical information like how he arranged the crane shot that is featured in the closing scene.
  • Promotional Featurettes include: Who is Dom Hemingway? (HD, 2:46) a brief introduction to the character, The Look of Dom Hemingway (HD, 3:26) looks at production design, A Conversation with the Cast and Director (HD, 4:44) separate interviews with Jude Law, Richard Shepard and Demian Bichir.
  • Ping Pong Loop (1080p; 30:30) a bare-breasted woman plays ping pong with herself in this clip used as background during the safe-cracking sequence in the film. I’m not joking.
  • Gallery (HD, 5:30)
  • Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:17)
  • UV + Digital Copy