Love Jones Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Love Jones Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov March 13, 2022

Theodore Witcher's "Love Jones" (1997) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc include exclusive new audio commentary recorded by the director; new program with music scholars Mark Anthony Neal and Shana L. Redmond; archival featurette; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Cruising Lake Shore Drive

Theodore Witcher’s Love Jones is one very, very sexy film, and as I was revisiting it the other night, my mind just would not stop insisting that it should have had a different soundtrack. Before I share why, however, I wish to make it clear that I do not think that Darryl Jones’ soundtrack isn’t right for it. Its jazz tunes are lovely and do some pretty important things to shape up the film’s identity. The reason why my mind would not calm down is this: the visuals instantly unleashed a sea of old memories that are linked to some quite special R&B songs from ‘90s that I think could have transformed the film into one of the decade’s ultimate urban time capsules. The relationship between the music and the film would have been mutually beneficial because most unfortunately these special songs are now largely forgotten. For example, imagine Aaron Hall’s “Let’s Make Love” flooding your speakers as soon as it becomes obvious that the first date would be longer than initially anticipated. Having Silk’s “Hooked On You” in the background while the lovers are cruising Lake Shore Drive would have been magical, too. There are more than a few perfect spots for Shai’s “Comforter” after the lovers hurt each other and then try to quietly heal as well. Al.B. Sure!’s “I’ll Never Hurt You Again” seems like the perfect song for that memorable sequence where the lovers miss each other at Union Station.

But perhaps it is better that Love Jones is exactly as it is because there is something else that makes it look unique that could have been lost if some of these special songs were in fact used in it. It is the unmistakable indie vide, which instantly reveals that the film comes from the ‘90s. This vibe materializes because of a simple, very sincere take on urban realism and romance that is unblemished by any socio-political messaging. Also, the same vibe makes it awfully difficult to place the film next to other similarly-themed but bigger projects from the ‘90s because it keeps it incredibly modest and leaves the impression that the story of the two lovers is actually one of many that could have been told. They just happen to be the ones that the camera has decided to follow once they meet at The Sanctuary. (For reference, New Line Cinema’s Set It Off, which was released around the same time, does the opposite and rather predictably leaves a very different impression).

The lovers are both talented individuals. Nina (Nia Long) is a photographer who seems to be on the verge of a much-deserved break that would finally launch her career, but can’t seem to connect with the right people. Darius (Laranz Tate) is a poet whose work is appreciated only by his closest friends. Their romance blossoms so quickly that they misjudge each other’s intentions and while trying to make their relationship work end up drifting in opposite directions.

The acting is loose but not of that instantly off-putting tacky kind. Also, even though the spotlight is clearly on Long and Tate, there are solid contributions by a wide range of other actors that strengthen the authenticity of the melodrama. For example, Isaiah Washington plays one of Tate’s best pals and goes through some serious personal problems as well. Khalil Kain is Long’s former boyfriend who has moved to New York City and started a dream career but suddenly realized that there is something big and important missing in his life. Lisa Nicole Carson is Long’s closest girlfriend who wants to know everything about her new boyfriend and secretly wishes that she had one exactly like him as well.

Love Jones remains Witcher’s one and only film, which is a great shame because it really is one of the best directorial debuts from the ‘90s.

*Criterion’s Blu-ray release of Love Jones is sourced from an exclusive new 4K master. It features a brand new 5.1 audio track that was finalized by the film’s sound supervisor, Larry Blake, in consultation with Witcher.

Love Jones Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Love Jones arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The following text appears inside the leaflet that is provided with this Blu-ray release:

"This new digital transfer was created in 4K resolution on a Lasergraphics Director film scanner from the 35mm original A/B camera negative at Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging in Burbank, California. The original January 1997 mix of Love Jones was made to Sony PCM-3348 digital multitrack tape. In fall 2021, the dialog, music, and effects stems on this tapes, still in good condition, were transferred to Broadcast Wave Format files in preparation for the restoration mix, where a slight bit of sonic fairy dust was applied. New, archival stems, along with 5.1 and two-track printmasters, were created by the film's sound supervisor, Larry Blake, in consultation with director Theodor Witcher.

Transfer supervisors: Lee Kline, Theodore Witcher.
Colorist: Gregg Garvin, Modern VideoFilm, Burbank, CA."

While the stylistic appearance of Love Jones does not have a lot in common with that of Deep Cover, I think that the new 4K master that was prepared for the former is every bit as impressive as the 4K master that was recently prepared for the latter. Indeed, there are bits of urban footage -- like the one where Larenz Tate and Nia Long are seen on Lake Shore Drive -- that look simply stunning. This new master is very, very nicely graded as well. Needless to say, different settings can produce some quite striking contrasts, even though lighting conditions vary a lot. There are no traces of problematic digital work. My one and only minor criticism pertains to a couple of darker areas that are on the verge of producing blocky patches (you can see examples in screencaptures #15 and 26). The camera movement effectively eliminates the issue so you don't have to worry about it, but these are the type of areas that usually benefit from additional encoding tweaks that ensure stability. Fluidity is already excellent, so if seen in native 4K Love Jones is a probably quite the stunner. My score is 4.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Love Jones Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I did not encounter any issues to report in our review. I thought that clarity, sharpness, and balance were outstanding. Dynamic intensity is not going to make an impression on you if you appreciate the potency of big-budget action films, but if you like gentle nuances Love Jones has more than enough to offer. (Watch the club sequence where Laranz Tate and Nia Long connect). Stability is excellent.

Love Jones Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Theodore Witcher and Racquel J. Gates - in this new program, Theodore Witcher and discusses the conception and production of Love Jones as well as the particular moment in time the film emerged from with critic Racquel J. Gates. In English, not subtitled. (44 min).

• Mark Anthony Neal and Shana L. Redmond - in this new program, music scholars Mark Anthony Neal and Shana L. Redmond discuss the music of Love Jones. In English, not subtitled. (31 min).

• Academy Panel - presented here is a filmed panel discussion featuring Theodore Witcher, actors Bill Bellamy, Lisa Nicole Carson, Nia Long, Leonard Roberts, Bernadette Spakes, Larenz Tate, and Isaiah Washington, producer Julie Chasman, editor Maysie Hoy, composer Darryl Jones, music supervisor Pilar McCurry, and director of photography Ernest Holzman. The bulk of the comments address the production of Love Jones, its themes, and lasting appeal. The program was recorded in June 7, 2017. In English, not subtitled. (59 min).

• Featurette - this archival featurette, prepared on behalf of New Line Cinema, offers clips from archival interviews Theodore Witcher, Nia Long, Larenz Tate, Bill Bellamy, and Lisa Nicole Carson, as well as raw footage from the shooting of the Love Jones. In English, not subtitled. (5 min).

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by Theodore Witcher in 2022. Mr. Witcher explains why he 'stole' the black-and-white intro to Love Jones from Woody Allen's work, and discusses in great detail how and where in Chicago different segments of the film were shot, the sense of realism that permeates the film, the evolution of the two characters and their romantic relationship, the dialog, the staging of the intimate scenes, the editorial process, etc. It is a very informative commentary.

• Leaflet - an illustrated leaflet featuring critic Danielle Amir Jackson's essay "Sweet Home Chicago" and technical credits.

Love Jones Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If during the '90s you frequently listened to the major R&B stations, you undoubtedly have all kinds of favorite songs that you wish your local radio jockeys would still play from time to time because they are so much better than their latest hits. If you were regularly going out clubbing as well, you probably secretly wish that the current crop of clubbers would learn to dress like the people you used to meet at your favorite night spot. Even though nowadays you have a super-long list of online 'friends', you are ready to instantly trade them for the few real friends that years ago shared the good and the bad with you. And, even though you may not be willing to publicly admit it, every single day you miss the way people like yourself used to fall in love, which was by meeting in person and being spontaneous. Love Jones came out during the '90s, and even though it follows closely two young lovers from Chicago, it is actually about the way things used to be. I saw it when it first opened up near me, and when I revisited it the other night, it immediately flooded my mind with all kinds of special memories that forced me to go through a huge stack of CDs. Criterion's upcoming release is sourced from an exclusive new 4K master that is a thing of beauty. My only criticism is that the new 4K master should have been made available on 4K Blu-ray as well. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.