Downtown 81 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Downtown 81 Blu-ray Movie Review

A music journey of discovery and awakening

An energetic love-letter to the underground music of the 80's, the entertaining music-film Downtown 81 is a truly eclectic and remarkable experience which was shot entirely in 1981. The film is about concert performances (showcasing concerts) as told between a story focused upon the painter Jean-Michel Basquiat. The independent production was restored for release in 2000 (and it is that version of the film which is presented on the Blu-ray release). Executive produced by Michael Zilkha (Pipe Dream), this is music and heart and soul. Downtown 81 is cinematic jazz.

The story of the film follows the misadventures of the painter Jean-Michel Basquiat as he attempts to sell art to stay afloat while traversing the streets of New York. As Basquiat travels through the NYC environment he passes through some of the famous city-spots which were home to a wide range of beloved musicians. As Basquiat attempts to earn rent, he similarly enjoys in the tunes of the city. Hustling in the streets turns to bouncing on his feet.

As a film showcasing the underground rock and new wave music scene circa 1981, Downtown 81 features a variety of performances from a wide range of eclectic musicians which include: The Plastics, DNA, Tuxedomoon, Kid Creole and The Coconuts, James White and The Blacks, Walter Steding, Deborah Harry, and others. The music is at the front and center of the entire experience. One can't help but be pulled in to the rhythmic and exciting music landscape and the performances which are delivered with unbridled enthusiasm. Basquiat passes through famous rock venues like The Rock Lounge, The Mudd Club, and The Peppermint Lounge. The tunes soak up the cinematic landscape and transport audiences away to a world of excitement.

Music for the heart and mind.

In addition to the music performances (which make an enormous impression), the original score by Vincent Gallo (Buffalo '66, The Way It Is) adds a beautiful texture to the presentation. The stylized cinematography by John McNulty (White Lies, Cool Cats) gives the film a tone and sensibility that manages to dramatically enhance the spectacle of the performances and brings audiences closer to the foundation of the music at the core.

The film was edited by Pamela French (who interestingly was an assistant choreographer on both Moulin Rouge and The Matrix Reloaded) and she manages to give Downtown 81 a free-style vibe energized without fail at every turn in the journey. The film lacks no enthusiasm and the evocative production sizzles with potent energy. Audiences will appreciate the tight editing and structure to the performances showcased in the film.

Directed by Edo Bertoglio (Face Addict), Downtown 81 is a curious experiment that provides a fun glimpse into a music scene that some might deeply cherish and others may just be getting newly introduced to for the first time. Bertoglio does an impeccable job of highlighting the artists who comprise the overarching experience which is at the heart of the production. While Downtown 81 was largely filmed around the year 1981 it was not released in this form until the year 2000.

The end results of Downtown 81 is a peculiar time capsule. The screenplay by Glenn O'Brien (a producer and actor with no other screenwriting credits) aids that sensation with a freestyle language of sorts. For fans of interesting underground music, Downtown 81 should be considered essential viewing. Don't miss this gem.

Downtown 81 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from distributor Kino Lorber, Downtown 81 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The film is truly a visually gorgeous experience with its organic visuals. However, the transfer is a little bit inconsistent and demonstrates a print that looks to be a little faded and colors are not quite as robust as ideal.

The presentation seems merely a step above average and doesn't hit home. Even so, the transfer is largely free of egregious damage to the print (such as scratches, burn marks, or telecine wobble). The biggest issue is the occasional specks found on the print. A far cry from perfection but a transfer that ultimately is perfectly watchable and a scan that most viewers will find acceptable given the age and quality of the source materials.

Downtown 81 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound track. The audio clarity is generally exceptional and music sounds remarkably tight and dynamic throughout the presentation. Nonetheless, the track is a bit of a mixed bag in some areas. Certain elements of the original audio disappeared and were lost without recovery. As such, the 2000 release of the film (showcasing the footage filmed in 1981) is missing some dialogue.

As a result, the audio track includes some dubbing. Obvious lip sync issues can be spotted on occasion due to the dubbing provided due to the lost recordings. While this is a bit of a disappointment, the track is ultimately satisfactory and the music certainly sounds lovely (which is the most important part of the presentation). I found myself regularly bopping my head and feet to the exciting music performances which make up the body of the film. A worthy trip for the music alone.

Downtown 81 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release features a inner print for the cover-art (with additional artwork on the inside of the case) and includes a 14 page booklet featuring The Metrograph Oral History by Horacio Silva.

On disc supplements include the following:

Audio Commentary by Luc Sante and Lee Quinones

Downtown 81 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Downtown 81 is a fascinating experience with a lot of exciting music performances at the front and center. The film is a love letter to a music scene with headlining artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Tuxedomoon, Kid Creole and The Coconuts, Walter Steding, James White and The Blacks, and DNA. Beautiful music can be heard throughout the experience.

For music fans hoping to see these outstanding performances, Downtown 81 is a throwback to a simpler time and a ode to music performance. Downtown 81 is a exciting, fun, and memorable music film that is as eclectic as it is energetic. There is beauty in the simplicity of it all. A experience that will stay with viewers and keep one feeling buzzed for hours. The Blu-ray release is worth consideration for fans. Highly recommended.