Bartender Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.0

Bartender Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 16, 2021

2006’s “Bartender” is an adaptation of a manga written by Araki Joh and illustrated by Kenji Nagatomo. Looking to give the material a different life through animation, the producers elect to set a gentle mood of storytelling and cocktail mixing for the show, which examines the inhabitants of the hidden nightlife oasis Eden Hall and its special bartender, Ryu. Over the course of 11 episodes, the program observes the lives of troubled and distressed characters searching for a special level of peace only a perfectly made drink can provide, retaining the page-turning feel of the source material. The stillness of “Bartender” is unexpected, securing a peaceful vibe of communication as Ryu reaches out to his customers, hoping to share lessons with others and delve into the history of certain drinks. It’s an incredibly odd show, but always interesting in its somewhat surreal execution and love of spirits, with most of the episodes more focused on the art of drink preparation than the visitors to Eden Hall.

Ryu is known as “The Glass of the Gods,” boasting a reputation as the best bartender in Japan. He’s honing his craft in Eden Hall, a special establishment that welcomes a range of customers, with most carrying tales of woe or extreme anxiety, in need of analysis. While trying to present his guests with some of the finest cocktails around, Ryu also uses the moment to share his wisdom concerning spirits and the human condition to best calm customers, offering clarity from an unusual source.

“Bartender” doesn’t offer an overall arc, going episodic with Eden Hall events. A low-key establishment situated behind a heavy wooden door, Eden Hall is home to Ryu, a young bartender with extreme cocktail-mixing skills, always perceptive when it comes to finding the ideal drink for customers often too scattered to focus on such a decision. He’s sharp and respectful, treating Eden Hall as a cathedral of possibility, securing experience through his interactions with others and his knowledge of recipes. “Bartender” is actually most interested in these ingredients, lovingly detailing the creation of cocktails to such a degree, actual mixing instructions are placed at the end of every episode, highlighting the special blend that changed lives during the story. This dedication to the bartending art gives the show a special tone of reverence, and it easily inspires experimentation for viewers who want to play along, highlighting the delicate construction of colorful liquids. Ryu is also quick to highlight spirit history to secure his storytelling points, often using tales of development and patience to help customers identify their personal issues.

Episodes:

Disc 1

“The Bartender” (22:40) Mr. Kamishima has been put in charge of his hotel’s bar remodeling project, but he’s unable to find the proper talent and inspiration to make the location memorable. Visiting Eden Hall and meeting Ryu, a master bartender, Mr. Kamishima is reunited with humiliation from years ago as he experiences the wonders of Ryu’s drink-mixing capabilities.

“The Menu of the Heart” (22:40) Miwa comes to Eden Hall in search of a special bottle of scotch, requesting help from Ryu. The bottle is tied to childhood trauma, but also representative of the troubled relationship between her father and grandfather, which she hopes to heal by finding the mystery drink.

“The Glass of Regret” (22:39) Shimaoka is facing his retirement on the day he learns that a former love, Meiko, has passed away. Visiting Eden Hall, Shimoaka is offered a margarita by Ryu, finding the drink connecting him to past disappointments and denials, pushing him to reconnect with his younger self.

“The Amber Dream” (22:39) As Sayo waits for her husband to arrive in Eden Hall, Yuka is anxiously preparing for a date, about to meet a film fanatic, inspiring her to bring some Ingrid Bergman style to the evening. For Sayo, troubling times with her partner are noticed by Ryu, who delivers a drink that brings the couple back to their early days of love.

“Things Left Behind in a Bar” (22:40) Stressed and defeated employee Shibata is stuck dealing with a cruel boss, unable to stand up to his demands. Facing a transfer order that will make his life worse, Shibata finds a spot inside Eden Hall, where Ryu offers the customer a Hemingway Daquiri, recalling “The Old Man and the Sea” as inspiration.

“The Story Inside the Glass” (22:42) Once friends and collaborators, filmmakers Shizou and Ryuji are now bitter old men. Taking up a few seats at Eden Hall, the men sit and listen to Ryu, who shares the history of Scotch whisky, with the journey of the drink mirroring the basics of human partnership.

Disc 2

“On One Closed Day” (22:40) When Ryu falls ill on a stormy day, two senior bartenders take over. They tend to a politician struggling with a scandal, in need of some clarity. And a lawyer arrives who needs calming, offered a special broth that brings her peace.

“The Lies at the Counter” (22:39) Masahiro is a con man looking to take a young woman for a ride. Ryu senses something wrong with the couple, and when Masahiro returns with plans to propose to his mark, Ryu calls him out on his lies, triggering a taste test where the crook challenges the bartender’s expertise.

“The Bar’s Face” (22:39) Flashing back to his early days at Bar Saito, Ryu’s experience with a special customer changes his life. Getting to know a mysterious man and his preferred drinks, Ryu hopes to connect the customer with his past, only to learn more about his future.

“A Christmas Miracle” (22:40) Coming into Eden Hall is Professor Okita, who’s been working since his childhood to become an expert in computational fluid dynamics. Dealing with his social issues, Okita is offered a Black Velvet, inspiring the professor to challenge Ryu’s ability to pour the beer and champagne drink without making a mess.

“The Water of Life” (22:34) Coming to the end of his apprenticeship at Eden Hall, Ryu and the senior bartenders reflect on their creations and bar culture, with customers and cocktail creations keeping the job interesting and emotionally satisfying.

Bartender Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Bartender" comes to Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation. I'm not sure what the original broadcast specs were for the show, but the discs provide what appears to be a tasteful upscale, offering a softer look at frame particulars, including bottle labels and decorative additions. End credit live-action shots are jaggy. Colors are a tad washed out, but primaries are appreciable, finding power with the varied hues of the cocktails. Delineation is acceptable.

Bartender Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 LPCM sound mix sets a warm mood for "Bartender," which offers a jazzy score crisply defined on the track. Instrumentation is precise, with sharp percussion, generating a full feel for performance and bar atmosphere. Dialogue exchanges are sharp and emotive, from the chirpy highs of female characters to the deep lows of senior citizens. Room atmospherics are present, along with changes in weather, registering pounding rain and thunderclaps.

Bartender Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Packaging includes nine Cocktail Recipe Cards and four Drink Coasters.

• Clean Opening Credits (1:20, HD) and Clean Closing Credits (16:33, SD) are offered.

• Bumpers (1:51, HD) are included.

Bartender Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Bartender" remains steady, exploring stories concerning broken hearts and mortality, power plays and frustrations. It never goes broad, with the production working to remain in a bubble of comfort as Ryu serves his cocktails and identifies concerns. There's a melancholy vibe to the show, which is appealing, but "Bartender" is never depressing. Its spirit is raised by spirits, looking to gift viewers emotional and philosophical clarity while trying to inspire some home attempts at the drinks offered here.