I Heart Huckabees (Two-Disc Special Edition)
SinceI Heart Huckabeesis the kind of film that inspires deep loyalty among its defenders, it's only fitting that this two-disc special edition offers an abundance of bonus features catering to devoted fans. Writer-director David O. Russell's existential screwball comedy was also issued with the commentary tracks included here: the first is Russell on his own, providing a more low-key assessment of the film and the Buddhist philosophical endeavors that inspired it; he's not the raving lunatic that Sharon Waxman's scathing 2004 profile inThe New York Timeswould lead you to believe. The second commentary, with Russell and his primary cast, is much more of a party-like romp, strictly optional but entertaining for anyone curious about anecdotes from a production that was apparently a lot of fun. Much more interesting, however, is Charlie Rose's half-hour interview with Russell, Lily Tomlin, and Dustin Hoffman, which includes deeper insights (both thoughtful and funny) and Hoffman's semi-offended reaction when Russell refers (with purely complimentary intentions) to Hoffman's "era" of actors.The 35-minute "Production Surveillance" documentary (partially shot by Russell's director friend andThree Kingscostar Spike Jonze) is also a lot of fun, showing Russell'sveryloose working methods (he runs multiple cameras and often directs his actors throughout a take), and including ample evidence of Hoffman's off-screen humor. (It's also fascinating for anyone who wants to see Jude Law, Jason Schwartzman, and Hoffman sporting a very realistic prosthetic pair of lactating breasts.) For a film as frenetically improvised asHuckabees, 51 minutes of deleted and extended scenes is strictly overkill, of interest only to those who crave a few extra glimpses of the film's philosophical lunacy. On the other hand, the features devoted to music composer Jon Brion (including music videos and behind-the-scenes footage with optional Russell commentary, are worthwhile for Brion's fans and anyone interested in the nature of his collaboration with Russell. Disc 2 is rounded out by four minutes of outtakes; the complete half-hour "Detective Infomercial" and "Open Spaces Coalition" public service announcements, and "Huckabees" promo spots glimpsed briefly in the film; and behind-the-scenes profiles of production designer KK Barrett and costume designer Mark Bridges. It's all a bit more than necessary for a film likeHuckabees, but it's certainly a definitive wealth of material, most of it above-average.--Jeff Shannon