Overview: Based on the runaway bestseller by Maria Semple, 'Where'd You Go Bernadette' is an inspiring comedy about Bernadette Fox (Academy Award® Winner Cate Blanchett), a loving wife and mom who becomes compelled to reconnect with her creative passions after years of sacrificing herself for her family.

Bernadette’s leap of faith takes her on an epic adventure that jump-starts her life and leads to her triumphant rediscovery.

Blu-ray Verdict: Has she lost her way or lost her mind? The Bernadette Fox we meet is a misanthrope. She doesn't much like her life.

It's a life with a loving husband, a workaholic tech genius. It's a life with a crumbling, once majestic mansion that she is remodeling one spot at a time.

It's a life with a smart daughter who admires her mother. It's a life that expects participation at a level Bernadette is unwilling to commit. And it's a life that is not the one she envisioned for herself.

Two time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett plays Bernadette, and as with most of her roles, she embodies the character. It's a role that more resembles that of her character in BLUE JASMINE than in CAROL.

Bernadette is not really a likeable person and she clearly feels out of place in suburbia and yet we find her interesting - in a train wreck kind of way.

She's a bit reclusive and seems to best communicate with Manjula, her virtual assistant in India. The daily dictations come across as therapy as much as directives for such vitals as fishing vests.

Bernadette describes herself as a "creative problem solver with good taste" and as the self-proclaimed "B**** Goddess of Architecture". A mid-life crisis is pretty easy to recognize (unless it's your own).

It's rarely about the person you sleep next to, and often about "finding one's true self". This syndrome is especially irksome for a parent, and is actually better described as selfish behavior.

Bernadette was a rising star in the Los Angeles world of architecture, and when Microsoft bought her husband Elgie's (Billy Crudup) software, the couple relocated to Seattle where he could continue his high-tech pursuits.

Bernadette stopped designing and focused on being a mother to daughter (and the film's narrator) Bee (Emma Nelson). In fact, it's Bee's request for a family trip to Antarctica that pushes Bernadette to the brink.

The supporting cast is brimming with talent. Kristin Wiig is Audrey, the neighbor and private school mom who manages to push every wrong button for Bernadette.

Audrey is a victim of Bernadette's mean streak in one of the more outrageous scenes in the film. Zoe Chao is Audrey's friend and Elgie's new Administrative Assistant. Laurence Fishburne appears as Bernadette's mentor, and Judy Greer is underutilized in the role of psychologist.

Others you'll recognize include James Urbaniak, Claudia Doumit, and Megan Mullaly. But despite all of that talent, this is Cate Blanchett's (and Bernadette's) movie. Is it a powerful performance or an overpowering one?

I'm still not sure and I've seen it twice now!.

What is certain is that the production design of Bruce Curtis is exceptional. The old mansion is worthy of its own story, and provides a distinct contrast to Audrey's spit-shined coziness next door.

The scenes on the ships at sea are also well done, and Bernadette in the kayak makes for an absolute stunning visual.

Of course, the film is based on the 2012 best-selling novel by Maria Semple, and director Richard Linklater co-wrote the script with his ME AND ORSON WELLES collaborators of Holly Gent and Vincent Palmo.

We typically discuss how an actor might be miscast, but this time the debate could be in regards to the director. Mr. Linklater is a wonderful director with such diverse films as BOYHOOD (2014), BERNIE (2011), BEFORE SUNRISE (1995) and DAZED AND CONFUSED (1994).

He's a naturalistic story-teller with personalities we recognize. Bernadette looms so larger-than-life, with her grandiose gestures and over-dramatizing every moment that she's almost cartoonish at times.

At times, Linklater seems like everyone else ie: not sure what to make of Bernadette.

The film differs in many details from the novel, but the spirit remains. This plays like 'Diary of a Mad-Disgruntled-Unfulfilled Housewife', and it's obvious to viewers that Bernadette's near seclusion is actually her hiding from herself.

Ms. Blanchett is a marvelous actress, one of the best of all-time. She is set to play the legendary Lucille Ball in Aaron Sorkin's planned LUCY & DESI film.

Ms. Blanchett commands our attention for Bernadette, whether it's in the comedy segments or the more philosophical moments. Rarely will you see a film whose Act I and Act III are so tonally opposite.

The first part plays like an old-fashioned Howard Hawks comedy, while the last part is Bernadette's more somber search for artistic expression once she is freed from the constraints of family life. It's the saddest comedy I can recall and yet was also one of the most oddly compelling too! This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

● Bringing Bernadette to Life
● Who Is Bernadette?
● Gallery

Bring home 'Where'd You Go, Bernadette' on Digital November 19th, 2019 and Blu-ray™ & DVD on November 26th, 2019.

www.FoxMovies.com