Married to the Mob Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.0

Married to the Mob Blu-ray Movie Review

Jonathan Demme enjoyed one of the most unpredictable careers in the industry, maintaining a position of defiance and creativity. He’s perhaps best known for his disturbing way with 1991’s “The Silence of the Lambs,” a masterful film that showered Demme with awards and amplified his career with significant box office. Less is understood about his work in comedy during the 1980s, with efforts such as “Melvin and Howard” and “Something Wild” developing an unusual but snappy sense of humor. 1988’s “Married to the Mob” is the most successful of the bunch, if only because it takes a tired subject in the mafia and does something original with working parts concerning violence and law enforcement. It’s an oddball picture, playful and sharp, keeping Demme on task as he navigates stereotypes and romantic comedy urges, working toward an overall lightness to a tale that’s pitch black at times. It’s a tonal gymnastics display that doesn’t come around very often, making “Married to the Mob” special, assisted in great part by Demme’s askew vision for this type of story. Only this helmer would make a mob comedy and score it to New Order songs.

Married to the Mob Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Married to the Mob" made its Blu-ray debut with a 2014 release from Kino, and returns to disc via Fun City Editions, who provide a "new 2K restoration from its 35mm interpositive." The viewing experience is a case of reaching the limits of the source, with Kino delivering an older scan of the feature (all these years and technological advances later, I wouldn't give the 2014 disc the same score), while FCE pushes for a more film-like appearance, only to struggle with grain, which looks more processed than natural. Some aliasing is detected as well, finding jagged edges on the opening credits. Detail goes as far as it can at times, but mostly remains softer, and exteriors lose some depth. Color has been refreshed, with a brighter, more alert palette than the previous release, working to bring out period hues and Miami atmosphere, with a heavier push of greens and blues. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in decent condition.

Married to the Mob Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 LPCM mix supports the feature's joyful mood, delivering defined soundtrack selections and musical performances, preserving instrumentation and authority, especially with thumpier New Order offerings. Dialogue exchanges are crisp, securing performance choices with broad accents and hushed threats. Atmospherics deliver a sense of New York City life and interior bustle, and sound effects are sharp.

Married to the Mob Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (14 pages) features essays by Jourdain Searles and Margaret Barton-Fumo.

• Commentary features podcasters Danielle Henderson and Millie De Chirico.

• "Writing 'Married to the Mob'" (32:10, HD) is an interview with screenwriter Barry Strugatz and Mark R. Burns, who recall the early years of their creative partnership, developing a rhythm together and similar interests in comedy. Trying to make their mark in Hollywood, the pair created "Married to the Mob" for a female lead, hoping to stand out in the marketplace, also using real tales of mafia activity to inspire the characters and dangerous situations. Cinematic influences are noted, and fond memories of director Jonathan Demme are provided. The tone of the feature is analyzed, with the writers trying to keep the effort approachable. Technical achievements are celebrated, along with locations. Strugatz and Burns offer their initial reaction to the movie, and detail its lackluster theatrical release.

• "It Barreled Into My Life" (28:53, HD) is an interview with actress Mercedes Ruehl, who shares her audition story for "Married to the Mob," holding an intense fear of broadness as she tried to make sense of the part and her creative approach. Ruehl shares memories of meeting Jonathan Demme, drawn to his direct focus and comforting personality. The interviewee also details some disasters she encountered along the way, including a battle with poison ivy mere days before the first reading of the script. Characterization is examined, with hair and costuming playing a major part in thespian choices. Co-stars are remembered, with Ruehl recalling her days with Michelle Pfeiffer, and career fears are included, trying to do something special at a crucial time in her professional life.

• "A Simple Enjoyment of Life" (21:43, HD) is an interview with actor Matthew Modine, who was gently shoved into the production of "Married to the Mob," offering his casting story. Modine explores support from director Jonathan Demme, going into detail about his personality and creative POV, also discussing his adventurous spirit, which resulted in a few physical moments for the actor. NYC energy is assessed, along with co-star Olivier Platt, who wanted to form a real relationship with Modine. While a comedy, Modine recalls an effort to keep the endeavor grounded in realism, which inspired some tough character choices along the way.

• Still Gallery (4:43) collects film stills, publicity shots, and poster art.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:09, HD) is included.

Married to the Mob Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It's one thing to dream up shenanigans, it's another to perform it. Thankfully, the ensemble gathered here is excellent, with everyone skilled enough to sell punchlines without losing the material's sense of reality. Impressive is Modine, who captures exaggeration without abandoning his character's humanity, but "Married to the Mob" is truly Pfeiffer's movie, generating a pitch-perfect depiction of unraveling sanity and newfound passion. She's a treat here, maintaining emotional authority and crisp timing as Angela. Demme has it good with this cast and this material, submitting one of his best efforts with "Married to the Mob," which soars at times on sheer invention, making something different out of a tired genre.