Take Me Somewhere Nice Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Take Me Somewhere Nice Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 15, 2022

A hunt for identity drives the plot of 2019’s “Take Me Somewhere Nice,” with writer/director Ena Sendijarevic offering a semi-biographical tale of exploration and isolation. The writing tracks the experiences of a young Dutch woman (Sara Luna Zoric) as she makes her way to Bosnia, hoping to find her estranged father after learning about his hospitalization. A road trip movie of sorts emerges, but the helmer isn’t interested in a lighter understanding of travel. She maintains her distance with this static celebration of filmmaking, leaving the storytelling tremendously underwhelming.

“Take Me Somewhere Nice” has laudable technical credits, with Sendijarevic concentrating almost entirely on the visual presentation of the film, working with talented cinematographer Emo Weemhoff. The pair hopes to engage viewers with precise framing and color, making the endeavor quite appealing to watch at times. The dramatic value of “Take Me Somewhere Nice” isn’t as pronounced, finding the story intentionally cold, managing cultural examination and character interplay without much verve. It’s meant to be a study of personalities and guarded feelings, but Sendijarevic is easily distracted by the cinematic potential of the feature, making viewer engagement difficult to come by.

Take Me Somewhere Nice Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation is dealing with a stylized picture, and one that's not afraid to remain on images for extended periods of screen time. Detail comes through with ideal clarity, exploring skin surfaces and fibrous clothing. Facial particulars are crisp. Locations are dimensional, visiting the vastness of the outdoors, and interiors provide a sharp understanding of decoration. Colors are exact, with candied hues on lighting and outfits, and primaries are vivid. Greenery is vivid. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory.

Take Me Somewhere Nice Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix (5.1 DTS-HD MA is listed on the package, but not offered on the disc) delivers a pleasingly frontal presence for "Take Me Somewhere Nice." Dialogue exchanges are crisp and nuanced. Scoring cues and soundtrack selections supply ideal volume and dramatic support, with some electropop beats at times. Atmospherics are common during the listening experience, capturing a sense of the open world and room tone.

Take Me Somewhere Nice Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (18 pages) contains an interview with writer/director Ena Sendijarevic.

• "Magic in the Night" (8:51, HD) is an interview with writer/director Ena Sendijarevic.

• "Take Me Home" (13:17, HD) is a video conference interview with actress Sara Luna Zoric.

• Short Films (HD) by Ena Sendijarevic collect 2016's "Import" (17:25), 2014's "Fernweh" (14:36), and 2013's "Travelers in the Night" (10:18).

• And a Trailer (1:20, HD) is included.

Take Me Somewhere Nice Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Roads are traveled, lust is in the air, and violence is present, but "Take Me Somewhere Nice" is mostly inert, perhaps playing most effectively with those intimately familiar with the area and its customs. Sendijarevic doesn't provide a clear invitation to get wrapped up in the story, ending up with a pretty but dull character study.