Nurse Betty

Betty Sizemore (Renee Zellweger) is a sweet and bubbly Kansas gal. She’s a waitress at the local Tip Top diner, lives for her daily does of soapie A Reason To Love, and is married to a be-mulleted cheatin’ ignoramus sleazebag hick car salesman named Del. It’s her birthday, and after receiving gifts of a life-size cardboard cut-out of Dr David Ravell from the soapie and a candle-toting cupcake from her workmates she heads home to wifely duties for the aforementioned piece of slime she married.

Preoccupied with a business deal, Del finds time for some more belittling of his spouse and biting a chunk from her cake (bastard!) before heading out to attend to his business. Stood up by a friend who couldn’t find a sitter, Betty stays in to catch up with her show when Del arrives home with two men, Charlie and Wesley (Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock). Things take a gruesome turn however, and after witnessing certain shocking horrors, something flips inside Betty and she decides to head off to LA in a Buick Le Sabre borrowed from Del’s caryard in search of her true love – Dr David Ravell.

Believing her to be a cunning and ruthless minx who’s in on Del’s deal and has headed off with their goods, Charlie sets off with his partner to track Betty down – and forms a curious attraction to her along the way. Meanwhile Betty, believing she is indeed a nurse, finds employment and accommodation in LA, and eventually tracks down the object of her affection...

"Blonde, great figure, and sort of a wholesome Doris Day thing going..."

To give any more away would be churlish, as the beauty of Nurse Betty is in its freshness and generally un-hackneyed take on the comedy genre. While many have described it as a black comedy, it is more of a general comedy with a couple of (incredibly) black dramatic bits thrown into the mix – causing the film to play with the viewer's emotions substantially in a way that is not often experienced. Skilfully added to the mix are elements of the classic road movie, fish out of water and miscommunication-type genres.

Anybody who had doubts as to Zellweger’s acting ability should have them well and truly dispelled after viewing this (and also, it should be noted, obviously hasn’t seen Bridget Jones’s Diary). The believability she brings to Betty in what is a rather demanding role is sublime, and coupled with the always brilliant Morgan Freeman in what is quite a different role for him in many ways, Chris Rock showing a hitherto unseen depth and some fabulous supporting performances (notably Crispin Glover and Allison Janney), we’re left with a an absolute treat.

Both the earthy, Kansas-based tones and glitzier Los Angeles garishness used in Nurse Betty have something in common – they both come up beautifully in this 2.35:1, anamorphically enhanced presentation. The film has many extremes in the lighting department – from sun-drenched Middle American plains to fluorescent-infested hospitals to night clubs and dingy motel rooms, and throughout detail is quite superb and shadow detail more than adequate.

On the downside, well there’s only one serious issue. Firstly though, the more pedantic may notice a few miniscule specks popping up throughout plus some slight instances of aliasing, and may have problems with the layer change as it is rather noticeable - but in reality it is still reasonably well placed on what is virtually a still moment in the film at the end of a scene. Now to that serious issue...

There are a few instances of subtitles used throughout the film – some of the Spanish spoken by Rosa and friends is translated, and one of those fabulous little “what is she up to now?� screens appears at the end of the film. Rather than leave this in tact and appearing as a part of the film, some ignorant twit involved in the mastering of this disc took it upon themselves to remove them from within the frame and sticky-tape player-generated versions of them into the bottom black bar that appears on a normal ratio television. While some may not be bothered by this, others may feel it takes us out of the whole “film experience�, and more seriously indicates interference with how the film was originally intended to be seen. Jolly poor, and reason enough to mark down the video rating for what is otherwise a simply excellent transfer.

Nurse Betty’s Dolby Digital 5.1 mix doesn’t have an incredible lot to do in the way of surround gymnastics throughout, however when called for it certainly delivers. There is some gorgeously subtle use of the rears for ambient effects at times, and the subwoofwoof is also used sparingly, but effectively, at many points throughout. Synching is absolutely spot-on, and there’s no need to dive for the volume control when the occasional loud bit burst forth, as it is all balanced pleasingly with the dialogue levels.

Rolfe Kent has provided a fitting score, weaving certain themes for characters into the mix and flitting between grand, almost-twang type music and more traditional soundtrack type fare. Special mention must be given to his creations for A Reason To Love. They vary between typical soapie piano schmaltz, and, well, typical soapie stringy schmaltz – and are almost frighteningly authentic. Other music runs an occasionally extreme gamut between the likes of Hank Williams and Icelandic indie favourites Gus Gus, and the creepiest version of Que Sera Sera you are ever likely to hear appears courtesy of a band named Pink Martini.

A reasonable compliment of extras accompanies the local release of Nurse Betty, although it must be noted that compared to region 1 we miss out on some delightful animated menus, five TV spots and a couple of DVD ROM features – the entire shooting script, and a copy of the teaser web site for the film. Boo!

Commentary – director and cast: Director Neil LaBute is joined by Renee, Morgan, Chris and Greg for what is an incredibly entertaining, virtual non-stop commentary. Neil holds his very keen co-commentators together as they delve into much discussion on story and director’s intent, fun anecdotes, character discussion etc.

Commentary – director and crew: Concentrating more on the technical side of the film, Neil LaBute pops back for more, this time joined by producers Gail Mutrux and Steve Golin, costume designer Lynette Meyer, composer Rolfe Kent and cinematographer Jean-Yves Escoffier. Many interesting facts are revealed, including the use of many Wizard of Oz touches throughout the film (which, naturally, also starts off in Kansas).

Soap opera segments (24:56): Fantastic! Ten full mini-episodes featuring all the A Reason to Love scenes that appear in the film, keeping a loosely follow-able thread and displaying an almost eerie realism with their full frame, shot on video look and jealous, catty, conniving, smoochy, hammy and delightfully cliché-ridden cast. Whilst authenticity was aimed at, there are still a few giggle moments, and a couple of in-jokes for more soapie aware viewers.

Deleted scenes (16:28): A number of non-anamorphic snippings that appear to be at a ratio of around 2.55.1 and are of only reasonable quality. We get Betty driving in the rain, some motel room scenes, plenty more of Charlie and Wesley (including an explanation for a comment about Thailand that appears in the final cut), some hospital scenes and also some extensions of finished film scenes.

Trailer: At 1.85.1 (non-anamorphic) with Dolby 2.0 sound, this trailer serves its purpose, although possibly gives a little more away as to what transpires than some would like.

Curiously taking a veritable eternity to reach our shores, Nurse Betty has definitely been worth the wait. Director Neil LaBute (In the Company of Men) has crafted an excitingly fresh, entertaining and purely brilliant entry into the comedy genre – one which hasn’t thrown up much in the way of great treats or indeed innovation such as displayed here in many a year.

As well as wonderful sound and video (barring the one big annoyance mentioned above), the DVD delivers a pleasingly entertaining collection of extras.

If you’re after more than just a few cheap laughs, you would be hard pushed to find anything on the new release shelves in the same league as Nurse Betty. Quite simply, Betty rocks!