Chronically Metropolitan Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Chronically Metropolitan Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 2, 2017

Chronically Metropolitan may only aspire to explore contemporary city life in varying degrees of cliché, but it's nevertheless a sharp and well-rounded picture, constructing an agreeable collection of divergent yet in many ways similar characters who effort to not only move through, but also understand, life: what their experiences have shaped them to be and the direction they've traveled. The film, from Director Xavier Manrique and Writer Nicholas Schutt, enjoys a texture-rich approach to character construction, where even the narrative banalities of infidelity, self-doubt, lingering past wrongs, and deeply held regrets not only give the characters purpose of maneuvering but a tangible depth. The film transcends triteness thanks in large part to its cast, a collection of actors who see not dramatically essential ebbs and flows but rather the human essence the script constructs for them. The film doesn't look at life in a different way, but it does look at life in a realistic way, through the eyes of enjoyable characters whose lives are worth exploring for 90 minutes.

Fenton (Shiloh Fernandez) was all but exiled from New York after a story he wrote made waves and alienated him from everyone he loved. He moved to San Francisco but has returned home in hopes of publishing his novel and reuniting with his ex, Jesse (Ashley Benson). His return is unannounced and a surprise. It coincides with his father's (Chris Noth) hospitalization following a car accident involving not only himself, but two of his drunken and promiscuous students. Fenton's mother (Mary-Louise Parker) is on the verge of leaving her husband and is unofficially dating Ahmed (Nasser Faris). Fenton's sister Layla (Addison Timlin) is dating the family's weed dealer and Fenton's old friend, John (Josh Peck). Through the family dysfunction and drama, Fenton wants only to reunite with Jesse, whom he learns is engaged to be married in only a few days time. Can he make amends, rebuild bridges, publish his book, and reconnect with his estranged love? Or will life's little dramas build into a mountain too difficult to overcome?

It's almost remarkable how well the movie plays considering the dearth of original content. The tale of a dysfunctional family, infidelity, lost youth, and a struggling New York writer doesn't exactly inspire confidence when checking out the movie's blurb, but the cast and filmmakers nevertheless manage to inject the picture with a richness of character and a sense of purpose beyond the nuts-and-bolts narrative devices. Even as the characters traverse -- carefully at times, carefree in others -- the minefields of their own making, the film eventually returns to a simple core that champions understanding, forgiveness, and setting out on the right path. It's only a matter of the character discovering that right path, whether on their own or through the words of wisdom from those who have previously chosen poorly. The film crafts several heartfelt scenes, notably between Fenton and his father and Fenton and Jesse, the former of which sets Fenton on the right road to life and the latter of which sets Jesse on the right road to life. The journeys and the destinations prove agreeable, fitting, and purposeful even beyond the film's inability to offer anything new on the road to them. Its reflection of life, good and bad choices, consequence, and setting things right proves reward enough, even as the film works in largely unimaginative devices.

Performances are the movie's saving grace. Shiloh Fernandez physically and in some ways characteristically channels a younger Johnny Depp. He shines in the lead role, exploring with impressive depth a character who has laid his soul open for all to read but found only heartache in response, forcing him to flee before returning to pick up the pieces. He walks his journey with a believable dourness that gradually morphs into fulfillment. Chris Noth is wonderful as the deplorable but sage father, a man whose transgressions have cost him much but that have only reinforced the one thing he has to give, which is direction to his son. He stands as an example of the road incorrectly traveled and, for all his bellicose grandstanding, he's very vulnerable and very willing to open up to his son, when the time is right, and help him take the right path for his life. The film earns good performances all around, the necessary counter to the movie's otherwise unimaginative narrative construction.

Chronically Metropolitan Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Chronically Metropolitan's 1080p transfer satisfies, though the movie's digitally photographed roots and style don't necessarily allow it much opportunity to truly shine. Details are fine, hardly the stuff of format legend but general clarity and core robustness allow basics like faces, clothes, and dense city textures to showcase enough vitality and textural nuance to please. Colors don't scream, but the palette is sufficiently stable, even through the movie's mildly drab front. Jesse's bright yellow jacket, Fenton's red scarf, signage and storefronts in Chinatown, odds and ends throughout the movie's several locations prove pleasantly saturated and adequately vibrant within the film's constraints. Skin tones appear true, black levels don't cause any serious problems, and source noise isn't particularly distracting.

Chronically Metropolitan Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Chronically Metropolitan arrives on Blu-ray with a standard-issue DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that delivers a genre standard-issue listen. Musical delivery satisfies with spirited front-end spacing, quality instrumental clarity, and minor surround support. The track is home to a number of enjoyable atmospherics that liven many scenes, most of which comes in the form of recognizably basic but essential city and barroom din. Positive thumping bass spills out from a party in chapter five, but the track otherwise offers little opportunity to open up or engage in any sort of dynamic sound elements. Dialogue propels the majority, and it's presented clearly with seamless prioritization and placement.

Chronically Metropolitan Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Chronically Metropolitan contains an alternate ending, deleted scenes, and a featurette. A UV/iTunes digital copy code is included with purchase.

• Alternate Ending (1080p, 3:50).
• Deleted Scenes (1080p): Never Have I Ever (1:22) and The Morning After (1:23).
• Chronically Interviewed: Behind the Scenes with the Stars of Chronically Metropolitan (1080p, 8:01): Several of the cast discuss the plot and the characters they portray.

Chronically Metropolitan Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Chronically Metropolitan lacks dramatic novelty, but it's teeming with personality thanks to its well-cast characters who, despite maneuvering through generic life drama, prove pleasantly engaging and worth knowing. The film has a few tender moments on offer and a quick pace that lessens the burden of a trite central storyline. It's an agreeable watch in total, an example of a movie overcoming its flaws thanks to a great cast. Universal's Blu-ray features acceptable video and audio. The supplemental package is rather small. Recommended.