A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy" delivers an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1, meticulously preserved from the MGM archives. The transfer, reflective of Gordon Willis' iconic cinematography, showcases a decently organic appearance with a slightly soft overall ambiance—this is largely influenced by the dewy, gauzy lens work characteristic of Willis. While colors exhibit general accuracy, saturation occasionally leans on the anemic side. Nevertheless, brightly lit outdoor scenes pop with convincingly vivid blue skies and lush green foliage, contributing to the picturesque portrayal of the bucolic countryside. The softness can sometimes mask detail in midrange shots, though close-ups frequently provide good amounts of fine detail; however, as the narrative transitions into dusk, shadow detail becomes inconsistent. The opening credits exhibit minor wobble, but image stability remains solid elsewhere, notwithstanding some late optical sequences that display expected increases in grain and softness.

In terms of visual fidelity, the transfer does commendable justice to Willis’ stunning cinematography, which often adds a layer of brilliance to Allen's narrative. The transfer maintains a natural grain structure that authentically evokes the film's original look and feel. Colors, particularly those of various flora, light up the screen with notable vividness, while ensuring a maintained cozy warmth that complements the story's intimate nature. The richness of blacks in nocturnal scenes is pleasing, delivering surprising detail, though diffused close-ups do not obscure fine facial features. There are sparse nicks and marks evident on the source material, these minor imperfections do little to detract from an overall faithful and engaging visual representation of this classic film.

The DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track for "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy" delivers a reliable, though unremarkable, audio experience. Dialogue is presented with clarity and precision, ensuring the viewer does not miss any of Woody Allen's cleverly penned lines. The score, influenced by the works of Felix Mendelssohn, including the robust brassy notes of the "Wedding March" from "A Midsummer Night's Dream," benefits from fine fidelity. These musical passages fill the room effectively, although they are somewhat limited by the narrow soundstage inherent to a mono track.

Dynamic range within the track is mostly observed during the musical segments, with notable peaks and valleys that add some auditory dimension. However, the track lacks in atmospherics, offering minimal environmental depth. Despite this, there is a noticeable absence of any intrusive audio artifacts such as hiss, pops, or crackles, which contributes to a clean listening experience. Overall, while the audio presentation could be considered basic and not particularly immersive, it suffices for a dialogue-driven film of this nature.

The Blu-ray extras for "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy" are minimal yet provide some value for enthusiasts. The inclusion of an isolated score track presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 will be of particular interest to Felix Mendelssohn aficionados. While the brief original theatrical trailer captures the film's essence effectively, it’s part of a relatively lean offering. The MGM 90th Anniversary Trailer adds a nostalgic touch but feels somewhat extraneous to the film itself. Overall, the extras maintain a professional polish but could benefit from more comprehensive content.

Extras included in this disc:

• Original Theatrical Trailer: Brief and punchy, providing a concise look at the film.
• MGM 90th Anniversary Trailer: A nostalgic celebration trailer.
• Isolated Score Track: Presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, catering to music enthusiasts.

Woody Allen's "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy" is a whimsical romantic comedy that takes inspiration from Ingmar Bergman's "Smiles of a Summer Night," infused with a bite of Shakespearean mischief. Set at the turn of the 20th century, the film situates its characters at a picturesque countryside estate where intellectual discourses and human desires intertwine. Allen himself portrays the neurotic inventor Andrew, trapped in a sexless marriage with Adrian (Mary Steenburgen), while hosting two other couples including the haughty philosopher Leopold (Jose Ferrer) with his youthful fiancée Ariel (Mia Farrow), and the roguish doctor Maxwell (Tony Roberts) with his airheaded lover Dulcy (Julie Hagerty). The narrative thrives on these intersecting relationships, driving home Allen's recurring themes of love, lust, and existential musing.

The comedic setup serves as an avenue for exploring various romantic escapades and underlying tensions among the guests. However, the film struggles to maintain a cohesive tone, vacillating between farcical humor and thoughtful romantic interludes without much sexual energy despite its title. Farrow’s performance as Ariel is often cited as a weak link; cast initially for Diane Keaton's role, Farrow appears stiff and disengaged compared to her later turns in Allen’s films. While her performance lacks fervor, the ensemble cast delivers praiseworthy efforts, particularly Ferrer’s embodiment of the pompous professor and Hagerty’s delightful naiveté.

Visually, the film is redeemed by Gordon Willis’s stellar cinematography, capturing stunning natural imagery that elevates the pastoral atmosphere. Fields of lavender swaying in the breeze and serene lake scenes imbue the setting with a romantic allure, almost overshadowing the script’s shortcomings. Though it is not one of Allen's most impactful works, "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy" offers enough charm through its ensemble and picturesque scenes to be an engaging watch. The Blu-ray presentation boasts a sharp 1080p video codec and clear DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0, ensuring visually and audibly pleasing viewing.

A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy' presents a mixed bag of experiences for viewers. While the humor can be fleeting, it reflects on the complexities of human relationships with a light-hearted touch. The film is notably enhanced by the outstanding performances of José Ferrer and Julie Hagerty, though the rest of the ensemble seems to struggle in fully grasping their characters. Woody Allen's direction ensures that each frame is visually captivating, thanks to Gordon Willis' impeccable cinematography that arguably stands as the film's most compelling feature.

The Blu-Ray edition by Twilight Time offers a commendable upgrade in video and audio quality, allowing Willis' work to shine in high definition. However, enthusiasts of Allen's work might find the lack of supplemental materials typical but slightly disappointing. Despite these limitations, the presentation remains robust and does justice to the film's aesthetic qualities.

In conclusion, 'A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy' may not rank among Allen's finest works, yet it maintains a whimsical charm and visual splendor that makes it worth a viewing. Its gentle humor and striking cinematography offer enough merit to earn this Blu-Ray release a solid recommendation.