7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
In the 1950s, Dale Turner, a gifted black saxophonist with a drinking problem, leaves behind New York and his estranged family and relocates to Paris. There he plays for a progressive, jazz-loving audience without being judged by his race, and ages quietly in peace. Not intending to turn away from his vices, Dale nonetheless becomes the project of a French fan who tries to help him fight his alcoholism, ultimately inspiring both Dale and his music.
Starring: Dexter Gordon, François Cluzet, Lonette McKee, Herbie Hancock, Frédérique MeiningerForeign | 100% |
Drama | 65% |
Music | 21% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Thelonius Monk was one of the most anachronistic and provocative jazz pianists and composers of his era, to the point that he was often met with outright consternation not just by "everyday" listeners but also by some of his colleagues and even collaborators in the jazz community. While Monk is often remembered for his unconventionally asymmetric and dissonant tunes like Well You Needn't and Straight No Chaser, he also wrote one of the most elegant and as they say "easily accessible" ballads in the annals of American popular music, 'Round Midnight, which helped contribute to making Monk one of the most (cover version) recorded jazz artists of all time, proving that you can be both an outsider and insider simultaneously. 'Round Midnight is of course at the center of this fascinating if perhaps occasionally problematic film from Bernard Tavernier which "fictionalizes" elements of lives of actual jazz performers, but which is notable (no pun intended) for offering jazz titan Dexter Gordon a late life opportunity to shine both musically and as an actor (Gordon received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for this performance), as well as providing some really fantastic live jazz performances from Gordon and an incredible retinue of icons, including Herbie Hancock on keys (Hancock won the Oscar for Best Score for the film).
'Round Midnight is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. In lieu of an insert booklet, this release offers a foldout leaflet (that includes a rather beautiful recreation of the film's original poster), with the following information on the restoration:
'Round Midnight is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1. This new 4K digital restoration was created from the 35 mm original camera negative, which was scanned on an Arriscan film scanner at L'Image Retrouvee in Paris. The original 2.0 surround soundtrack was remastered from the 35 mm magnetic tracks. Please be sure to enable Dolby Pro Logic decoding on your receiver to prperly play the Dolby 2.0 surround soundtrack.I'll leave that last bit for the audio section, but this is a really gorgeous looking transfer for the most part, though as mentioned above the story at least in part is on the rainy, dowdy side, something that is probably reinforced at least subliminally by a production design that really emphasizes browns throughout. Color timing looks generally great, but frankly struck me as a bit too brown (with just hints of yellow) at times. Detail levels are typically excellent, to the point that you can make out smudges on some of the brass instruments and where fine patterns like the jacket Herbie Hancock wears in several scenes resolve flawlessly. Grain resolves naturally throughout.
'Round Midnight features DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 options, which makes the above verbiage in the insert leaflet about Dolby 2.0 a bit odd, but one way or the other, both tracks offer beautiful fidelity and commendable clarity for the live jazz performances. The 5.1 track does open things up naturally for the musical sequences, but perhaps a bit less consistently and/or artfully with regard to dialogue and sound effects. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.
Despite some rampant clichés, there's some wonderful content here, and Gordon is exceptional. The live musical performances are typically excellent, even if some curmudgeons like Giddins may find fault with the elderly Gordon's facility. Technical merits are first rate and the supplements very enjoyable. Recommended.
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