Product Details

• Actors: Nick Nolte, Mena Suvari, Peter Sarsgaard, Jon Foster, Sienna Miller
• Directors: Rawson Marshall Thurber
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Surround Sound, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Peace Arch Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: August 4, 2009
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0025XUTKG
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,184 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (+ Digital Copy)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

MYSTERIES OF PITTSBURGH - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Watch the Commentary Between Chabon and Thurber FIRST, August 8, 2009

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (DVD)

For those who find it difficult to appreciate the adaptation format of film making from a famous novel, THE MYSTERIES OF PITTSBURGH as now released on DVD should help explain the naysayers' opinions. In a very valuable session of conversations among Michael Chabon and Rawson Marshall Thurber (screenwriter and director) and the producer and cast, the transition of this complex novel into a very altered story is comfortably explained and the person most happy with the result seems to be the originator - Michael Chabon!

That being said this film stands well on its own terms. June and July in hot Pittsburgh generate mysteries among a variety of people, especially the young college graduate Art Bechstein (Jon Foster) who while working in a bookstore wastes time with a fling with the supervisor Phlox (Mena Suvari) with disinterested post grad classes dealing with becoming a broker and having monthly dinners with his mobster father Joe Bechstein (Nick Nolte), until he encounters an odd couple: bisexual biker and thief Cleveland (Peter Sarsgaard) and his female consort, the violinist Jane Bellwether (Sienna Miller). The bizarre interactions among these characters drive Art to make many decisions and discoveries - including his falling in love with both Cleveland and Jane. The summer winds down with Art finally discovering his own identity despite the clouds of mystery that have surrounded his life. It is a piece of life as lived by disparate characters whose direction in life seems at odds with the natural flow of finding happiness and success. But then the question is asked - what is happiness and what is success if not survival?

For this viewer the explanation by the makers of this film was interesting enough to encourage a repeat watching of the movie. A good movie not a great movie, but it still tastes strongly of Michael Chabon's genius. It deserves more attention than the critics have given it.....Grady Harp, August 09

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars don't expect the film to follow the book and you'll enjoy watching it, May 19, 2009

By 

AIROLF (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (DVD)

The beginning captivates the viewer and the movies has a decent story. Having said that, it's also worth mentioning that the storyline is hardly Michael Chabon's and why the changes were made (from the book) is unclear, however, as a stand-alone it seems to work (if you ignore that it's a novel adaptation and think of it as a standalone film). It's no the most engaging movie nor is it the worst movie ever. If you haven't read the book or don't mind watching the movie and can refrain from comparing it to the book, there's a good chance that you'll like it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Stars for cast and soundtrack only, October 19, 2009

By 

Viva (So. Cal.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (DVD)

I'm sure this was a good novel, and I will read it. However, whoever brought it to the screen made it quite dull and slow. It's also hard to understand why anyone would ever want to be with Peter Saarsgard's obnoxious character at all.

That said, I was glad to see Jon Foster again, having enjoyed his work in The Door in the Floor. Saarsgard is as good as ever, and Sienna Miller was wonderful as the woman caught between these troubled men. Nick Nolte also makes a fine turn as the very unpleasant and controlling father.

Soundtrack recommended too.