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This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover (designed by Jilian Adel) was limited to 500 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.
Established in 2000 and based in New York City, IFC Films is a leading U.S. distributor of independent film. Its unique distribution model makes independent films available to a national audience by releasing them in theaters as well as on VOD. Partnered with OCN Distribution, IFC will release new titles on home video and revisit past favorites in brand new editions, with many making their HD physical media debuts.
An obsessive college freshman joins her university's rowing team and undertakes an extreme physical and psychological journey to make it to the top varsity boat, no matter the cost.
directed by: Lauren Hadaway
starring: Isabelle Fuhrman, Amy Forsyth, Kate Drummond
2021 / 94 min / 1.78:1 / English DTS-HD MA 5.1
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.703704 / 5 from 27 reviews.
Review topics: ["looks","sound","picture","film","movie","moments","journey","performances","pacing","features","gem","flick","score","restoration","blu-ray","intensity","watch","characters"].
"The performances in this very good flick were well done! This is a very interesting journey it takes you on with many really cool moments along the way! The peerless VS restoration process was on full display with stellar sound and picture! Thank you, VS, for continuing to lovingly restore and release so many wonderful films from every conceivable genre! You are keeping physical media alive in this streaming world we now live in! Highly recommended!"
"The Novice is an intense, character-driven drama that dives deep into the mindset of someone chasing perfection at any cost. Isabelle Fuhrman delivers a fierce, all-in performance that makes the film both gripping and uncomfortable in the best way. It’s a focused, psychological ride that sticks with you, especially if you’ve ever pushed yourself a little too far trying to be the best."
"The slipcover is quite plain but the film looks awesome."
"I have never been more exhausted watching a film. Its basically if the movie Black Swan was about Rowing instead of Ballet. I literally felt like a piece of shit lying on the lounge watching it when I could be outside going for a run - thats how this movie makes you feel. đ¤Ł"
"Isabelle Fuhrman shows once again why she is good at playing villains, her intensity carries this single handedly"
"Thanks so much to VS for partnering with IFC to give this underseen masterpiece a legit blu-ray release. The film looks and sounds magnificent. While small in number, the features are worthwhile, particularly the insightful essay included in the booklet and the commentary featuring the writer/director and star. I'm so glad to finally own this on physical media. As for the film itself, here's what I had to say about it back in 2023: I could have sworn I had watched this more than once, probably because I spent some time analyzing the original score for a class I teach, but apparently I hadn't sat down to watch it again since my initial viewing. I was a bit afraid that I would find it to be less impactful and impressive this time around, but my worries were deeply unfounded. In fact, I've bumped my rating up to a full 5/5. While you can certainly see parallels between this and Whiplash, another masterpiece that the writer/director worked on as a sound editor, this film has a unique perspective and follows its own path. I don't know how many people can relate to the idea of succeeding not because of innate ability but hard work, and I hope precious few have ever taken it to these lengths, but I found it to be a compelling character trait to build a film around, at once feeling both familiar and shocking. Like Whiplash, this film also really sticks the landing. Isabelle Fuhrman gives an astounding performance as Alex. It's incredibly physical, while also being quite emotionally complex. There's also an added challenge in how isolated and internal the character of Alex is, with so many of the most dramatic moments playing out on her face (and body) rather than in interactions with others. This performance has catapulted her firmly into my list of favorite performers working today. It's the craft behind The Novice, however, that may be its most impressive feature. Everything here is working on full cylinders in support of a singular vision. Given Hadaway's background, it's no wonder the sound design stands out so much. The way it works in conjunction with Alex Weston's intense, brilliant score is a thing of beauty. Visually, the shallow depth of field, the well-paced editing, the occasional almost surrealist imagery, the nauseatingly effective makeup. . . it all captures the inner journey of Alex in a way that would be difficult if not impossible to improve upon. More people need to see The Novice. It's a shame it's not available on a streaming service more ubiquitous than Showtime, and I've pretty much lost all hope that it will get at least a Blu-ray release instead of just the DVD available now. Still, it's worth whatever hoops you might need to jump through to catch The Novice. It's a wildly impressive film and will almost surely get you excited to see whatever its writer/director and star might bring us next. (I'm thrilled to see that the last paragraph of my review is now largely outdated. )"
"A college freshman joins her university's rowing team and undertakes an obsessive physical and psychological journey to make it to the top varsity boat, no matter the cost. Great drama, very intense."
"Awesome to see the girl from the orphan movies."
"Good movie. . liked it. ."
"Isabelle Fuhrman delivers a career-defining performance, capturing the single-minded intensity of someone chasing perfection to the brink. The film reminded me of Whiplash in its focus on obsession, but it’s entirely its own beast. Uncomfortable, riveting, and visually striking. Even when the storytelling meanders or sidetracks, the final act lands hard, leaving an unforgettable mark. By now, it feels like one of those rare debuts that announces a filmmaker with a clear voice, fierce control, and something urgent to say."
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