DVD Edition of ‘Out of Sight’ Puts More of Film in View

The combination of Elmore Leonard and the director of “sex, lies, & videotape” might have seemed a little odd at first, but Steven Soderbergh’s screen adaptation of the novelist’s “Out of Sight” was one of last year’s best films, a solid thriller drenched in black humor, artfully merging art and commerce.

Now Universal has released a DVD collector’s edition that will be essential viewing for those who really enjoyed the film.

The disc’s best asset is the inclusion of 22 minutes of deleted scenes, which will help viewers understand the various subplots a little better and gain a deeper understanding of the film’s many characters. To the director’s credit, it becomes obvious while viewing this section that he sacrificed some really tasty bits for the sake of a more tightly paced narrative.

Especially noteworthy is a six-minute one-take scene between George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez that takes place in the trunk of a car, a version superior to the more conservative, edited one that appears on the finished product. This alternate take demonstrates that part of the film’s success lies in the genuine chemistry that existed between its two stars.

The behind-the-scenes camaraderie among the cast and crew becomes a tad too cute on the 25-minute documentary “Inside Out of Sight.” If you are patient enough to tolerate the interviewed participants putting one another down just to show what a grand time they’re all having together, you are rewarded with some insightful comments by Leonard and a few evocative images of the filmmaking process.

Rounding out the edition is the by now inescapable audio commentary, which in this case is a very animated conversation between the director and screenwriter Scott Frank.

Soderbergh has no problems sharing the spotlight with Frank, and the pair comment on everything from stealing a particular shot from “The Hunting” to the unforgettable experience of working with actor Albert Brooks.

The director also clarifies the ending of the picture, which is useful to those left wondering whether “Out of Sight” ended on a hopeful or a melancholy note.

A special edition containing the same bonus materials as the DVD has been released on laserdisc by Pioneer.

DVD Releases

“Jet Pink: The Pink Panther Cartoon Collection” (MGM): The Pink Panther cartoons from the ‘60s were all about creativity and fun. This skimpy compilation contains only eight shorts, most of which are classics (“In the Pink of the Night,” “Little Beaux Pink”).

Ernesto Lechner can be reached at LechnerE@aol.com