Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Taste of Cherry Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 18, 2020

While a respected filmmaker during the course of his career, 1997’s “Taste of Cherry” brought Abbas Kiarostami’s work to a worldwide audience, collecting awards and rave reviews for his mediation on life and death. Never one to conjure a volcanic viewing experience, the helmer remains within his creative boundaries for the endeavor, which provides a minimalist moviemaking effort, while the story touches on the depths of experience, existentialism, and resiliency. There’s an emotional side to “Taste of Cherry,” but Kiarostami elects to head into a more reflective place of thought, delivering an intriguing portrait of a man experiencing life for perhaps the first time as he orchestrates his own demise.

Houmayoun Ershadi stars as Mr. Badii in “Taste of Cherry,” portraying a man at the end of his rope, planning his suicide in Tehran. However, he needs help to make sure his pill-gorging scheme works, driving around the area, meeting with three men he hopes will aid his efforts. “Taste of Cherry” revolves around these three interactions, with Mr. Badii receiving a unique education as he debates all manner of service, faith, and hope with strangers. The rest of the feature details the man’s car ride, with the production providing something of a travelogue as Mr. Badii briefly meets with laborers, children, and those who wish not to be bothered. Kiarostami delivers a deliberately paced endeavor, mixing probing questions and profundity with scenes of stillness, slowing the journey to best take in the weight of Mr. Badii’s choice -- a decision that evolves as the picture unfolds, creating some dramatic tension.

Taste of Cherry Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Billed as a "New 4K restoration of the film," "Taste of Cherry" provides a vividly dimensional viewing experience during its AVC encoded image (1.66:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Capturing the open world of Tehran as the main character winds around dirt roads, cinematographic reach is preserved with deep backgrounds. Close-ups are just as detailed, showing textures on clothing and weathered faces. Color is compelling throughout, enjoying the golden appearance of the location, offering bright desert environments. Automobile interiors deliver varied hues on costuming. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory, preserving frame information. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in excellent shape.

Taste of Cherry Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 LPCM sound mix delivers a straightforward understanding of intended elements, leading with dialogue exchanges, which remain crisp, securing all emotionality and emphasis. Atmospherics are distinct, offering louder industrial noise and community activity (and mystery animal whimpers). Music doesn't factor into most of "Taste of Cherry," but the soundtrack cut offered at the end of the feature remains clear.

Taste of Cherry Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Project" (38:57, SD) is a "sketch" version of "Taste of Cherry," with director Abbas Kiarostami, actors, and his son creating a visual and dramatic template to help prepare for the final film shoot. Footage from this test version is used in the final cut.

• Interview (16:57, HD) discusses the career of Abbas Kiarostami with film scholar Hamid Naficy, author of "A Social History of Iranian Cinema." Topics include biographical details, creative and industrial influences, storytelling interests, career achievements, Iranian multiculturism, technique, and reaction to "Taste of Cherry."

• Interview (18:39, SD) is a 1997 chat with Kiarostami, conducted by film scholar Jamsheed Akrami.

• "Abbas Kiarostami's Landscapes" (7:09, HD) is a 2017 episode of the show "Observations on Film Art," hosted by film scholar Kristin Thompson.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:18, SD) is included.

Taste of Cherry Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Taste of Cherry" is beautifully shot by cinematographer Homayun Payvar, and Ershadi's performance is perfect, communicating a breakdown of intent as Mr. Badii experiences other perspectives on life. Kiarostami aims for screen poetry here, and he mostly achieves it, only really stumbling with the controversial ending of the feature, which suddenly assigns creative ownership through some cultural breaking of the fourth wall. However, as with any offering of screen art, some viewers will delight in such playfulness, giving the picture an ideal level of interpretative appeal the helmer has embraced throughout his career.