Jimi: All Is by My Side Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Jimi: All Is By My Side" offers a detailed and densely saturated image, though it might not precisely reflect the historical period's textures, it effectively conveys the film's emotional essence. Encoded in 1080p with an MPEG-4 AVC codec and presented in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, the video transfer is commendable but not without its shortcomings. The film's digital photography by Tim Fleming emphasizes rich reds, browns, and golds, particularly enhancing the visual portrayal of Jimi Hendrix. Scenes set in Harlem are intentionally flat and desaturated, conveying Hendrix's sentiments about his time there.

Despite a few limitations, such as an average bitrate of 20.50 Mbps—which is somewhat low given the frenetic musical performances and rapid cuts—the digital origination and letterbox bars serve the compression well, minimizing visible artifacts. The film adopts a deliberate period look with added grain and a generally unpolished aesthetic. This results in a bit of a muddled appearance that might not appeal to all viewers but does not detract from its overall clarity. Depth and dimension are particularly well rendered in performance scenes, although black levels appear slightly faded, and the color reproduction, dictated by the film's style, still manages to bring vibrancy to the varied costumes.

In terms of visual fidelity, flesh tones are well-represented with decent facial textures, even if some aesthetic flaws are noticeable. The presence of grain adds to the film's raw look but can prove distracting for those accustomed to pristine transfers. Overall, the video quality of this Blu-ray release aligns well with the film’s creative intent and period-specific visuals while maintaining sufficient clarity and depth to engage viewers fully.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Jimi: All Is by My Side" prominently features a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, centering around the music performances of Jimi Hendrix, recreated vocally by André Benjamin and on guitar by Waddy Wachtel. These performances resonate with fidelity to Hendrix's iconic style, delivering clarity that surpasses many original recordings. Standout scenes include the rendition of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" performed at the Savile Theatre and "Wild Thing" over the closing credits, both of which inject an authentic Hendrix atmosphere into the sound mix. Various period-specific songs also enhance the film's musical landscape, often serving as source music within the narrative.

The audio format is presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio, with English SDH subtitles available. Dynamics are handled with an old-school cinematic approach utilizing modern equipment, resulting in a nuanced yet occasionally subdued track. The low-frequency extension is adequately serviced by the accompanying music, offering sufficient engagement for the subwoofer during key moments. The surround sound presentation maintains a well-balanced mix, particularly shining during musical sequences where it becomes most effective in enveloping the listener.

Dialogue reproduction is somewhat inconsistent; while most lines are clear, Benjamin's near-perfect mimicry of Hendrix's speech can sometimes obscure clarity, reflecting Hendrix’s historically enigmatic diction. Despite this minor drawback, the overall soundscape constructed by the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is immersive and faithful to the film’s homage to Jimi Hendrix’s legacy.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "Jimi: All Is by My Side" offer a modest but intriguing look into the making of the film. The brief interview segment, "Music by Waddy, Lyrics by Danny," provides valuable insights from those who contributed to the film’s score, although it could have benefited from a more perceptive interview style to discern the musicians' deeper thoughts. The theatrical trailer resonates well, encapsulating the essence of Hendrix's journey with its impactful message. Start-up trailers, while skippable, are not otherwise accessible after the initial load.

Extras included in this disc:

• Music by Waddy, Lyrics by Danny: Short interview with Waddy Wachtel about scoring and performing guitar solos for the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: Captures the essence of Hendrix's journey with a powerful message.
• Additional Trailers: Includes previews for The Machine, Poker Night, and Ironclad: Battle for Blood.

Jimi: All Is by My Side portrays the enigmatic rise of Jimi Hendrix with a focus on the year prior to his stardom. What stands out is André Benjamin's captivating portrayal of Hendrix, capturing both his mystical and vulnerable sides. Director John Ridley’s choice to eschew Hendrix's original music due to estate conflicts results in an inventive narrative that centers on Hendrix’s journey in the Greenwich Village scene of 1966, his relationship with Linda Keith (Imogen Poots), and his eventual discovery by Chas Chandler (Andrew Buckley). The assemblage of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, including bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, is depicted with the added flavor of historical authenticity despite slight fictional liberties.

Ridley’s script, criticized by some close to Hendrix for its composite character portrayals and historical inaccuracies, presents a compressed yet compelling glimpse of this legendary musician's early days. André Benjamin thoroughly embodies Hendrix’s aloofness and otherworldly charm. However, the film extends beyond his on-stage charisma, diving into the intricacies of his personal relationships, particularly with lovers Kathy Etchingham (Hayley Atwell) and groupie Ida (Ruth Negga). These interactions highlight Hendrix’s complex emotional availability and struggle with newfound fame, all against the backdrop of the turbulent 60s.

Technically, the film achieves an authentic 1960s setting through meticulous production design, shooting in Dublin for scenes set in London, and using period-appropriate footage. Editor Hank Corwin employs avant-garde editing techniques—jump cuts, overlays, and sound dropouts—which echo the psychedelic ethos without relying on clichéd visual effects. Ridley’s adept use of these elements creates a visceral representation of Hendrix’s world and underscores music’s profound emotional impact. Despite its narrative liberties, Jimi: All Is by My Side succeeds in capturing the essence of an icon on the cusp of greatness.

"Jimi: All Is By My Side" attempts to navigate the enigmatic figure of Jimi Hendrix, portrayed by Andre Benjamin, offering an introspective look at the early days of his career. Although the film struggles with the evident absence of Hendrix's actual music—a notable omission due to legal constraints—it compensates with a thoughtful narrative and solid performances. The cinematography and period-appropriate design are laudable, contributing to the overall authenticity and atmosphere of the biopic. However, certain aspects of the filmmaking could have been refined to enhance the storytelling, such as pacing and character development.

The Blu-ray release of the film is somewhat underwhelming in terms of technical excellence. Picture quality is serviceable but lacks the vibrant clarity expected from high-definition formats, which might disappoint some viewers hoping for a visually striking presentation. The audio track, although acceptable, does not fully leverage surround sound capabilities to immerse the audience in the musical scenes. Additionally, the disc's sparse extra features may leave admirals of Hendrix craving more in-depth content about his life and legacy.

In conclusion, "Jimi: All Is By My Side" may not be the definitive Hendrix biopic, but it provides a compelling glimpse into the formative years of the guitar legend. While its shortcomings—most notably the absence of Hendrix's original music—are hard to ignore, Andre Benjamin’s performance and the film’s respectful handling of its subject matter make it worth watching. Given the years it took to bring this story to life, it could be a while before we see another cinematic portrayal of Hendrix. Thus, despite some technical and narrative flaws, Ridley’s film captures the sense of incompleteness inherent in telling the story of an artist gone too soon.