In Bloom Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.5

In Bloom Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown January 27, 2024

The early 1990s, in Tbilisi, the capital of the newly independent Georgia, shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The country is facing violence, war on the Black Sea coast of Abkhazia, and vigilante justice that plagues society. But for Eka and Natia (Lika Babluan and Mariam Bokeria), fourteen-year-old inseparable friends, life just unfolds; in the street, at school, with friends or Eka’s elder sister (Maiko Ninua). Although they are already dealing with men’s dominance, early marriage and disillusioned love, for these two girls in bloom, life just goes on. Written and directed by Nana Ekvtimishvili and co-directed by Simon Groß (Nana & Simon), the film also stars Ana Nijaradze, Maiko Ninua, Tamar Bukhnikashvili, Temiko Chichinadze, Berta Khapava, Sandro Shanshiashvili, Endi Dzidzava and Zaza Salia.

Georgia's recent history with violence is at center stage by way of a gun (with a single bullet) that passes to Eka and Natia, interrupting the innocence of their childhood as they reach a point in their lives when all too real threats invade; first charmingly quaint, via other girls and critical teachers, but soon in things no 14-year old should contend with: a husband for young Natia, marriage, separation from one another, kidnapping and murder. It reads like cheap, manufactured fiction in America but, with In Bloom's Georgian setting and trappings, plays out with tense, truly harrowing encounters that boil to the surface as Eka simply tries to hold on to her best friend through trying times in both their lives. Babluan and Bokeria are terrific actresses (despite the fact that the boys circling them and several other teens could use a bit of polish), and a sharp script, with dialogue that registers as exceedingly natural and believable, lends the thrust of the story power, while leaving plenty of room for more subtle coming-of-age elements to grace the film. It's an exercise in minimalistic melodrama, if there is such a thing, and it builds to a moving endgame that doesn't indulge in the salacious but chooses thoughtful and contemplative beats instead.

In Bloom Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

In Bloom features a cold but striking 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer that fares wonderfully in spite of its chilly palette. Blue-toned hues and skintones grant the film an inherent iciness that suits Nana & Simon's thematic pursuits well. Romanian Oleg Mutu's cinematography is captured without issue; black levels aren't inky but still entirely effective, contrast is consistent, and delineation is fairly revealing (even if the vast majority of the story takes place in brightly lit interiors and environments). Detail is precise, with crisp, clean edges and refined textures, and I didn't notice anything in the way of banding, blocking or errant noise.

In Bloom Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

In Bloom features a subdued but remarkable Georgian-language DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track with optional English subtitles. Voices are intelligible and nicely prioritized throughout the film, even when dialogue is hushed or whispered. LFE output is more soft-spoken, as the material dictates, but nevertheless offers its support when called upon. Rear speaker activity is more noteworthy, creating a convincing soundfield that makes good use of pinpoint directional effects and smooth channel pans. Be it a school bathroom, a quiet apartment, a busy city street, a crowded dinner party or a serene park, the mix delivers an immersive experience.

In Bloom Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The only extras included are a trailer for In Bloom and a series of additional Big World Pictures trailers.

In Bloom Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

In Bloom and My Happy Family make for a terrific Georgian double feature from filmmakers Nana & Simon. Big World Pictures's Blu-ray release is a strong one as well, with a pair of praise-worthy AV presentations. More extras would have certainly added value but that doesn't make this two-film release's pricepoint any less appealing. Recommended.