Mississippi Grind Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Mississippi Grind" on Blu-ray offers a commendably faithful representation of the film's elements. Utilizing an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, the Blu-ray successfully captures the retro-70s ambience that the film aims to convey. Shot on 35mm film with Arricam LT equipment, the presentation balances a burnished, amber, and honey-colored appearance with a cooler overall palette, maintaining satisfying primary colors against drab settings. The detailed textures in close-ups and mid-level shots are notable, though wider shots sometimes appear softer with average delineation. Skin tones are lifelike and texturally descriptive across various lighting conditions.

Black levels are stable but stop short of being inky, with no overt signs of compression artifacts or video anomalies. The transfer leans towards a slightly warm side without oversaturation, preserving the film grain in a nicely consistent manner pushed to the background. Contrast is appropriately calibrated, providing a gritty look that mirrors the emotional lives of the characters, with bright lighting showcasing striking detail. Some scenes set in dimly lit environments like casinos exhibit minor murkiness and a lack of shadow definition, yet this doesn't detract significantly from the overall visual experience.

Ultimately, this Blu-ray presentation offers a solid cinematic quality by delivering a pleasant film-like appearance throughout. While it may not boast razor-sharp imagery or high-definition depth that 'wows' the viewer, it compensates with its respectful adherence to the source material's intrinsic aesthetic and atmosphere. This ensures audiences receive a visually immersive experience that faithfully echoes the film's original theatrical release.

The audio presentation of "Mississippi Grind" on Blu-ray, featuring a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, is notably gratifying and well-suited for this dialogue-driven film. The track provides a front-oriented perspective that offers smooth, tonally neutral sound with detailed articulation. Dialogue delivery is centrally focused, ensuring clarity and distinct intonation, making every conversation audible and comprehensible. While surround activity is limited, it subtly enhances the spatial dimension, extending the depth of the sound field in a nuanced manner.

The DTS-HD MA track occasionally ventures into immersive territory, particularly in busier environments such as casinos and racetracks. Ambient sounds like crowd chatter are gently positioned in the rear or side channels, contributing to the creation of a rich soundscape. During more energetic scenes, the track exhibits increased dynamic activity, driven by a glut of source cues that add vitality to the auditory experience. Despite these occasional bursts of energy, the majority of the film's audio consists of intimate dialogue scenes where fidelity remains superior and all audio elements are expertly prioritized.

This sole 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio option fulfills its purpose for "Mississippi Grind," blending ambient noises from various settings such as gambling venues and bars seamlessly into the overall sound design. While it may not be an overwhelmingly powerful track designed to 'wow' listeners, it is glitch-free and ensures a pleasant listening experience that is both precise and engaging. Additional features include subtitles available in English SDH and Spanish, catering to a broader audience. Thus, for a film centered around dialogue and subtle environmental sounds, the audio presentation stands robustly effective.

The Blu-ray extras for "Mississippi Grind" offer a modest but insightful glimpse into the film's production process. The main featurette, "Two of a Kind: On the Road with Mississippi Grind," provides a well-rounded 17-minute exploration into the making of the film, enriched by insightful interviews with directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, as well as leading actors Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn. The footage includes engaging behind-the-scenes moments that elevate this beyond a typical 'talking head' documentary. Additionally, the inclusion of a digital HD copy is a commendable bonus.

Extras included in this disc:

• Two of a Kind: On the Road with Mississippi Grind: Interviews and behind-the-scenes footage with cast and crew.
• Digital HD Copy

"Mississippi Grind" is a gritty examination of the complexities and emotional turmoil tied to gambling addiction. Gerry, portrayed with impeccable realism by Ben Mendelsohn, is a poker player whose perennial losing streak has left his life frayed at the edges. His encounter with Curtis, embodied by Ryan Reynolds in a role that finally does justice to his fast-talking charm, seemingly offers a glimmer of hope as they embark on a road trip punctuated by poker matches and existential musings. The dynamic between the two characters is compelling; Gerry is a down-on-his-luck, compulsively addicted gambler, while Curtis initially appears as a carefree drifter. Despite Curtis’s more affable veneer, glimpses into his own cracks become evident, enriching the narrative depth.

The film adopts a languid, vignette-driven structure typical of a road movie, which plays to the strengths of Mendelsohn and Reynolds’ performances. Mendelsohn’s Gerry is a nuanced portrayal of a man entangled in his own self-destructive habits, highlighted in poignant scenes such as his interaction with his ex-wife Dorothy (Robin Weigert) and the brief cameo from Alfre Woodard as a calculating loan shark. Reynolds balances Gerry's dark descent with Curtis’s seemingly unruffled exterior, though the screenplay by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck suggests deeper issues beneath Curtis’s charm. Their journey south, aiming for a potentially redemptive poker game in New Orleans, showcases their evolving bond but also leaves viewers pondering the cyclical nature of their fates.

While the performances are engaging, some viewers might find the narrative's meandering plot and ambiguous conclusion somewhat unsatisfying. It raises questions about character motivation and growth, especially with Curtis’s sometimes enigmatic involvement in Gerry's life. Despite its loose narrative threads, "Mississippi Grind" benefits from its atmospheric storytelling and the palpable chemistry between its leads, arguably making it worthwhile primarily for Mendelsohn’s and Reynolds’s richly textured portrayals.

"Mississippi Grind" presents a standout portrayal of characters, driven by the compelling performances of Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn. Their nuanced acting brings a level of emotional depth to the film that is engaging and often captivating. Despite the strong performances, the narrative itself feels somewhat disjointed. The road trip plot meanders without offering substantial insights or resolutions to the characters' arcs, leaving viewers with a sense of incompleteness.

From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray release exhibits robust merits. The visual presentation is detailed and sharp, capturing the subtleties of each scene with clarity. Sound quality is equally impressive, delivering a balanced and immersive audio experience. These technical strengths enhance the overall viewing pleasure, ensuring that while the storyline may wander, the sensory engagement remains high.

In conclusion, "Mississippi Grind" is bolstered significantly by its leading actors. Although the storyline lacks cohesion, the film's emotional undercurrent and technical excellence make it a worthwhile viewing. For fans of character-driven dramas and those who appreciate high-quality Blu-ray presentations, this film comes recommended.