Bound will release on 4K and Blu-ray in the Criterion Collection on June 18th, 2024.
A mere three years before they changed the cinematic landscape forever with The Matrix, Lana and Lilly Wachowski delivered a bare-bones, neo-noir thriller overflowing with tension and sensuality. In their feature directorial debut, the sibling filmmakers showcased their talents with a grounded thriller set primarily within the confines of a single apartment building.
Bound Plot
Corky (Gina Gershon) finds herself drawn to Violet (Jennifer Tilly), the woman living down the hall of their shared apartment complex. However, things are complicated when its learned that Violet is married to Caesar (Joe Pantoliano), a mobster with violent tendencies. When the two women make the decision to steal money from the mob and start a new life together, things begin to unravel and nothing goes according to plan.
The Critique
The Matrix holds a special place in my heart. It was the first R-rated film I watched in theaters. I was ten-years-old, and my grandmother took me to an early afternoon showing. I was blown away. I’d never seen anything like it before; however, that was where my love of the Wachowski’s films ended. The subsequent sequels and further attempts at science fiction never quite landed with me. So, I was intrigued when their feature debut was announced.
Prior to this, I’d never watched Bound. I recall seeing the film’s cover in video stores; however, the cover itself never intrigued me enough to take a closer look. The Criterion Collection release receives a massive improvement with its beautiful new cover image from Drusilla Adeline/Sister Hyde Design. I was surprised at the film’s gritty realism, primarily because my experiences with the Wachowski’s have all existed within the realm of science-fiction and fantasy.
The story unfolds almost entirely within two apartments. One is accoupled by Violet and Caesar and the other is being worked on by Corky who has been employed as the building’s plumber. The confined atmosphere adds to the boiling tension that permeates from every scene of the film. The film leans into its sexuality with Jennifer Tilly’s femme fatale leading the charge.
The bare-bones approach and minimal budget add a layer of rawness and authenticity. It’s a shame the Wachowski’s never returned to this style of filmmaking as it’s clear that they have a talent for it. There’s a rewatchability to Bound that we don’t always find in Criterion Collection releases, and I found myself ready to revisit the film immediately after the initial viewing.
Special Features
The new release features an audio commentary from directors Lana and Lilly Wachowski, actors Jennifer Tilly, Gina Gershon, Joe Pantoliano and more, as well as the original trailers.
Critic Christina Newland provides a new video essay, and scholar McKenzie Wark contributes a written essay. There are six interview programs featuring Gina Gershon, Joe Pantoliano, Jennifer Tilly, Pope, editor Zach Staenberg, Christopher Meloni, and technical consultant Susie Bright.
Would I Recommend This Purchase: Absolutely. I loved this movie.
Is It Worth a Blind Buy: Yes, unlike the Wachowski’s later work, this is a film with a fairly wide appeal.
9/10
