Alphabet City Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Alphabet City Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 8, 2020

The director of “Unmade Beds” and “Frogs for Snakes,” Amos Poe tries to summon the real New York City as it was in the mid-1980s for “Alphabet City.” The 1984 release takes audiences into a dangerous area populated with drug dealers, addicts, and prostitutes, endeavoring to explore a survival story involving a young hoodlum who’s has enough of crime. Poe does better with atmosphere than storytelling with the feature, as “Alphabet City” does just fine as a tour of community devastation and troubling individuals, with the central character trying to manage a typical evening while an unusual problem grows in urgency over the course of the night.

Johnny (Vincent Spano) patrols the streets of Alphabet City, overseeing collections for Italian gangsters who demand total compliance from their employees. He has a wife in artist Angie (Kate Vernon), and a baby daughter, but Johnny puts himself in the line of fire every night, visiting dealers and club owners to take his cut. When he’s ordered to burn down an apartment building for insurance money, Johnny hesitates, as the complex is home to his Mother (Zohra Lampert) and sister, Sophia (Jami Gertz), a sex worker. Trying to find a way out of the scheme, Johnny puts himself at odds with Gino (Raymond Serra), his connection, while the night’s work taking cash from creeps doesn’t go as planned, adding to the pressures of his wayward life.

When me meet Johnny, he’s the king, suiting up in leather and mesh for the night’s work, jumping into his white Trans Am to begin his rounds after saying goodbye to his wife and daughter. He’s an enforcer with a tight schedule of pick-ups, dealing with Lippy (Michael Winslow), one of his primary dealers who’s been getting high on his own supply, complicating their relationship. And there’s Tony (Kenny Marino), the owner of club La Tropicana, who doesn’t have the cash to pay his fee, engaging in a game of stalling as he temps Johnny with women. There’s a plot to “Alphabet City,” but the feature is much more interesting surveying the bombed-out community, following Johnny as he visits dangerous streets and eventually enters a drug den filled with junkies either completely zonked out or desperate to score. Poe finds nervous energy to explore when stepping away from the narrative, achieving more dramatic urgency in confrontations featuring the main character and the weirdos he must deal with to make a living.

The story driving “Alphabet City” involves the arson job, putting Johnny’s loyalty to the test as Gino orders the destruction of a building his mother and sister live in. He doesn’t want to do it, and he tries to persuade his loved ones to evacuate (in a puzzling screenwriting choice, they blow him off), leaving Johnny to stress about the situation throughout the movie. However, Poe doesn’t really emphasize the ticking clock, keeping the character oddly cool with the future ruination of his family. In fact, Johnny even returns to the enormous loft he shares with Angie, with a moment of vulnerability turning into sex scene, which dilutes suspense. Time is of the essence, but Johnny takes an hour to indulge his desires. Poe also can’t figure out an ending to “Alphabet City,” which goes the traditional thriller route while the rest of the endeavor is more effective as a study of mounting problems in a unique situation of personal submission.

Alphabet City Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Lighting is a major component of the "Alphabet City" viewing experience, and the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation delivers a vivid understanding of creative intent. Listed as a "New 2K restoration from its 35mm interpositive," the disc provides as much clarity as the original cinematography allows, with darkness a common sight in the feature. Limited sources of lighting register nicely, including golden candlelight and bigger offerings of primary colors, including washes of reds and greens, and Poe favors purples along the way. Hues remain secure throughout, enjoying bright make-up, art displays, and period outfits, and club scenes deliver neon power. Skintones are natural. Detail comes through for the most part, battling some softness. Skin particulars are satisfactory, and costuming, with all its leather, mesh, and nylon, enjoys some fibrous qualities. Street distances are dimensional, along with loft and apartment interiors. Delineation is amazingly secure, preserving frame information. Grain is heavy but film-like. Very mild banding is detected. Source is in strong shape, with some speckling.

Alphabet City Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix handles dialogues exchanges comfortably, even in difficult environments. Accents and authority emerge with decent emphasis, reaching the limits of production audio capabilities. Music plays a significant part in the feature, and chirpy beats and synth come through without issue. Atmospherics are limited, but community bustle and street presence are noted.

Alphabet City Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Intro (:33, HD) features actor Vincent Spano, who welcomes viewers to the "Alphabet City" viewing experience, and briefly explores the lost version of New York City found in the film.

• Commentary features director Amos Poe and writer Luc Sante.

• "Prince of Alphabet City" (21:59, HD) is an interview with Spano, who shares his early years in New York City, where he pulled off an impromptu song at a party, leading to his start as an actor. Landing a part in the Tony Award-winning play, "The Shadow Box," Spano soon found himself on Broadway, which led to early parts in "Over the Edge" and "Baby It's You," with his big break roles in "The Black Stallion Returns" and "Rumble Fish," working for Francis Ford Coppola. For "Alphabet City," Spano connected to the role though a tour of the dangerous area, while costuming efforts from Anna Taylor offered him a distinct look for the character. The interviewee shares a few extended anecdotes about filming, including the staging of a fight between him and longtime pal/co-star Daniel Jordano when stunt men couldn't make it look real, and there's an amusing tale of a late night joyride in a Trans Am that triggered interest from the police. Spano celebrates the work of director Amos Poe, cinematographer Oliver Wood, composer Nile Rodgers, and details his relationships with co-stars. Audience reaction is recalled, along with cult longevity, with Spano happy to have "Alphabet City" available on Blu-ray for the fans.

• "East Side Stories" (4:48, HD) is a video essay by Chris O'Neill.

• Image Gallery (3:26) collects BTS snaps, film stills, and publicity shots.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:27, HD) is included.

Alphabet City Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Alphabet City" flounders some when trying to piece together a cohesive character study, but it excels with low-budget technical achievements, with cinematographer Oliver Wood using lighting in artistic ways, creating a distinct look for the film. Costuming from Anna Taylor is interesting, and editing by Grahame Weinbren aims to add some indie edge to the viewing experience. Performances also shine, with Spano carrying the picture with passion. Poe captures the menace of the titular location and the time period, giving "Alphabet City" some power as it examines the creatures of the night. There's not much dramatic pull, but it connects on a visual level more often than not.