Midaq Alley Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Midaq Alley Blu-ray Movie Review

A remarkable film which is a must-see experience

A heartfelt and moving film with layers to peel back, the great Midaq Alley explores the inner lives of a community in Mexico City as the characters experience moments of elation and devastation throughout the turns of the story. The filmmaking explores a number of different storylines revolving around the myriad of characters within the community. Produced by Georgina Balzaretti (Strawberry and Chocolate) and Alfredo Ripstein hijo (The Golden Barge), the magic of Midaq Alley is in how it creates scenes which are beautifully constructed fragments (like a set of postcards showing key moments in the lives of the characters).

The downright sexy Alma (Salma Hayek) encounters love with the charming Abel (Bruno Bichir) while running into a number of unexpected situations. Alma even comes to meet a wealthy-man connected to prostitution in a whorehouse. As Alma enters into a seedy realm she didn't know existed before, things heat up considerably as the story delves into dark recesses of the town. Will Alma find true love or is her sexual grace going to be her ultimate downfall?

Don Ru (Ernesto Gómez Cruz) is growing weary of his long-term marriage. Don starts to develop unexpected romantic feelings for a young man he meets and previously unknown emotions start to come to light. As a romance ensues, the newfound relationship leads to some surprising events. Can happiness be possible for Don Ru or is it too late to start over?

Susanita (Margarita Sanz) is an aging woman with horrible teeth (who is rather embarrassed by her appearance) and the story revolves around this topic and her growing affection for a younger man, Güicho (Luis Felipe Tovar). The story of Susanita is a more optimistic one and is one of the film's greatest side stories. There is a real romantic back-drop to it that should give hope to the romantic optimists found the world over.

The gorgeous Salma Hayek. Accept no substitutes.

What a beautiful film Midaq Alley proves itself to be. This is a special film which takes viewers on a fantastic journey. There are so many beautiful aspects to the production. The film has a great music score composed by Lucia Álvarez (The Queen of the Night, The Beginning and the End) and lush cinematography by Carlos Marcovich (Sucesos distantes, Who the Hell Is Juliette?). The visuals highlight the majestic grace of the community and each character's individual daily lives (while showcasing the gorgeous Salma Hayek in all of her voluptuous splendor).

Based on the novel by Najeeb Mahfouz, Midaq Alley features a screenplay by Vicente Leñero (The Crime of Padre Amaro) that should be commended for its fantastic storytelling. Each segment of Midaq Alley is a unique one that tells a tale of romance, drama, and the inner depths of humanity. Directed by Jorge Fons (The Cubs, The Bricklayers), there's just something so human about Midaq Alley that it makes the film become an unforgettable experience that will stay with viewers long after the end credits roll. A quiet gem of a film that will make the heart sing.

Midaq Alley Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The release includes a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 widescreen. The Blu-ray has received a new digital restoration. Although the presentation is not as crisp as a 4K restoration might offer, this is still a fantastic presentation which has exceptional color reproduction and remarkable detail in the image.

Midaq Alley is a consistently filmic presentation which looks extremely naturalistic from start to end. The print has a pleasant layer of fine film grain. There are some occasional specks of dirt on the print but the scan is ultimately a largely clean presentation that is satisfactory (with little to no damage). It certainly pleases as a presentation and the transfer capably presents the beauty of Hayek at every turn of the story.

Midaq Alley Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Midaq Alley is presented with an uncompressed PCM 2.0 stereo (48 khz/16 bit) track in the original Spanish language. Although the opening credits have some uneven fidelity, the track quickly shows improvement. Dialogue reproduction is consistently exceptional throughout the entire presentation. This is a worthwhile audio presentation overall and fans of the film will be pleased.

Midaq Alley Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

14 page booklet featuring essays on the film by Carlos A. Gutierrez (co-founder of Cinema Tropical)

Behind the Scenes (SD, 26:00) is a subtitled featurette showcasing scenes being rehearsed for the production, including the whorehouse sequence.

Original Mexican Theatrical Trailer (SD, 00:33) is an un-subtitled original promotional video.

Film Movement Trailer (HD, 1:26) is a montage trailer promoting the label and their critically acclaimed catalog.

Lastly, the release includes trailers for the following Film Movement releases: Time to Die (HD, 1:53), Antonia's Line (HD, 1:48), and Once Were Warriors (SD, 2:11)

Midaq Alley Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There is real magic in the heart of Midaq Alley. Audiences looking for a fantastic example of world cinema should look no further (as there is so much to appreciate with this gem). The film has fantastic performances from its ensemble cast (and the beautiful Salma Hayek is fantastic and more beautiful than ever). The Blu-ray release features a stunning presentation, quality audio, and some nice extras to make the package worthwhile. Fans of the film are encouraged to add the release to their collection. Don't miss it.