TL;DR
Aaron Paul and Emily Ratajkowski star in "Welcome Home," a thriller about a couple seeking escape in Italy that quickly sours due to jealousy and a charismatic neighbor. While the leads are competent, Riccardo Scarmarcio steals the show as the enigmatic neighbor. The film uses familiar relationship-saving tropes but suffers from implausible plot points and contrived coincidences, though it does offer some surprising twists. Visually stunning with a great score, the Blu-ray is let down by a lack of extras. It's a serviceable thriller that’s entertaining for a single watch. Ready to see if this Italian getaway is worth the trip? Dive into the full review!
Bryan (Aaron Paul) and Cassie (Emily Ratajkowski) embark on a trip to Italy, residing in a spacious and picturesque villa. Complete with access to a fully stocked wine cellar, their escape initially appears idyllic. However, beneath the surface, Bryan’s jealousy simmers. The arrival of their charming and attractive neighbor, Federico (Riccardo Scarmarcio), exacerbates existing tensions, rapidly revealing that the seemingly perfect setting conceals underlying complexities.
Aaron Paul achieved prominence through his role in the critically acclaimed TV series Breaking Bad. While one might expect such a breakthrough to lead to significant film roles, his career has largely consisted of appearances in smaller productions (with the possible exceptions of Need for Speed and the forthcoming Breaking Bad movie). This is somewhat unfortunate, as Paul is a capable actor. Although initially perceived as somewhat stiff, this aligns with his character’s intended portrayal. His on-screen dynamic with Emily Ratajkowski is adequate, and Ratajkowski, whose resume includes a supporting role in Gone Girl and various smaller films, competently carries the lead in this feature.
However, Riccardo Scarmarcio delivers the film’s standout performance as the neighbor, Federico. He embodies a truly elusive character, exhibiting a compelling ambiguity. Without Scarmarcio’s nuanced performance, the film would likely be easily forgettable.
Welcome Home employs a familiar narrative: a couple retreats to a remote location in an attempt to salvage their relationship, only to encounter unforeseen challenges. The film incorporates many of the genre’s established tropes. A notable weakness lies in its reliance on contrived plot elements and characters whose actions strain plausibility. The narrative depends too heavily on a series of improbable coincidences. Despite these shortcomings, Welcome Home offers some unexpected twists towards its conclusion, providing some unanticipated developments.
The Blu-ray edition provides acceptable picture quality, although a degree of softness was noticeable. The color palette is well-rendered, enhancing the visual appeal of the film’s stunning settings. The DTS-HD audio is satisfactory, with Bear McCreary‘s score standing out as a particular highlight (he also contributed to the game music for the God of War reboot). Regrettably, the Blu-ray edition is severely lacking in supplemental material, a significant drawback.
In conclusion, Welcome Home is a serviceable thriller, incorporating both novel elements and familiar tropes. It offers a reasonably entertaining experience, suitable for a single viewing.
