Salaam Bombay! Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Salaam Bombay! Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 8, 2015

Mira Nair’s “Salaam Bombay!” has lost little of its potency during the nearly three decades since its theatrical debut. A sobering look at India’s street children as they fight for survival and a chance to belong, the feature blends an impressive level of authenticity with secure dramatics, creating a vivid look at survival challenges and broken hearts. While the covert art displays a smiling child, consider the image ironic, as there’s little here that inspires giggles once Nair begins to peel away layers of betrayal and obsession.

Tracking the experiences of a young boy abandoned in the heart of Bombay, “Salaam Bombay!” does a terrific job juggling the needs of its cast of characters, weaving a portrait of desperation that includes manipulative men, a teen prostitute, and a collection of orphaned and rejected children trying to find any way to make money in a harsh environment. Nair doesn’t linger on the pain, but she doesn’t deny it either, developing complex personalities that take the good with the bad, trying to keep up with everyday business while tending to personal needs to the best of their ability. Despite a small budget, “Salaam Bombay!” feels expansive, and its general rejection of Bollywood fantasy is intriguing.

Salaam Bombay! Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation brings out detail to street life that's vital to the "Salaam Bombay!" viewing experience. Textures are generally capable with facial particulars and neighborhood visits, handling distances and everyday life quite well. Colors enjoy a boost with bold costuming and city activity, with healthy primaries and secure skintones. Delineation is satisfactory, preserving evening events and dense fabrics. Mild scratches and speckling are detected, framing feels too tight on top at times, and the second half of the film experiences extended judder issues.

Salaam Bombay! Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is a straightforward presentation of elements, but clarity is welcome here, permitting appreciation for individual performances, natural accents, and the bustle of street life. Atmospherics are active and respectful, bringing out the flavors and chaos of city life. Scoring sounds full, with inherently thin instrumentation coming through as intended, supporting the picture well.

Salaam Bombay! Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features director Mira Nair.

• Commentary #2 features cinematographer Sandi Siddel.

• Documentaries that explore cast and crew updates, the film's lasting legacy, and production reflection include: "A Color in the Hand of a Painter" (6:30, SD), "I Got Love" (6:31, SD), "It Gave Me a Career" (6:54, SD), "No Guts, No Glory" (6:56, SD), "One Chance in a Million" (7:04, SD), and "So Kids Like Us Can Learn Forever" (10:48, SD).

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:35, HD) is included.

Salaam Bombay! Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Performances elevate the feature, with most of the cast alert amateurs unafraid to emote for Nair's camera. Dramatics are heightened on occasion, but realism is maintained by the ensemble, giving "Salaam Bombay!" a richly defined spirit. Despite its smooth jazz soundtrack and few comedic detours, the feature isn't easy to digest, but the reward at the end is an evocative look at tattered lives, managed with attention to soul by the gifted Nair.