Blue Like Jazz Blu-ray Review

"Blue Like Jazz" is presented by Lionsgate Films with a 1080p AVC encoded transfer in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The transfer showcases the film's cool, earthy tones, typical of its Portland setting, but unfortunately, it does not provide a standout viewing experience. The overall presentation is quite soft, with muted colors and a lack of impressive fine detail, except for some close-up shots. The image stability poses occasional issues, which can be distracting, especially with problematic patterned fabrics that appear almost three-dimensional in some scenes. Furthermore, banding is present during several indoor scenes, impacting the clarity and immersion.

Despite its low-budget origins, "Blue Like Jazz" could have benefited from more meticulous attention to its Blu-ray transfer. Although black levels are distinct, supporting the contrast through most scenes, the overall haziness detracts from a potentially richer visual impact. Some scenes suffer from significant instability, which highlights finer details unevenly. Fabric textures, facial blemishes, and structural surfaces sometimes stand out sharply but are inconsistently rendered throughout the film. This uneven presentation limits the overall visual depth.

While the 1080p MPEG-4 codec does its best given the film's constraints, it's clear that additional effort could have elevated this Blu-ray release. The result is a serviceable yet underwhelming high-definition presentation that fails to maximize the potential of an indie film that deserved better. A bit more polish could have brought out the bold and vivid colors necessary to enhance an already appealing narrative, attracting a broader audience through a superior home video experience.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix for "Blue Like Jazz" offers a clean and well-prioritized audio presentation, although it remains largely anchored in the front channels. This restraint can feel limiting, especially given the film's immersive potential. Surround sound is minimally engaged, coming to life primarily during crowd scenes and more dynamic sequences, such as the Renn Fayre outing. The evocative score, including notable Coltrane pieces, makes effective use of side and rear channels, delivering excellent fidelity and rich bass in certain segments.

Despite these highlights, the mix occasionally falters with some audio inconsistencies. While the film's dialogue and voiceovers are robust and clear through the center and front channels, there are instances where the music performance can sound tinny and hollow. The mix generally does an admirable job of creating acceptable imaging during raucous scenes, lifting the audio experience above its otherwise front-heavy design. Ultimately, the Blu-ray’s audio is well-suited to the film’s needs but doesn't fully exploit the 5.1 format’s potential.

The extras for the Blu-ray release of "Blue Like Jazz" are varied and often brief, but collectively contribute a thorough behind-the-scenes look at the film’s production. Highlights include an insightful audio commentary with Director Steve Taylor, Author Don Miller, and Cinematographer Ben Pearson, providing depth and context to the narrative choices. The featurettes, while short, offer different aspects of the filmmaking process from behind-the-scenes footage to candid interviews with the cast. Although some segments are more anecdotal than informative, together they form a comprehensive view of the movie’s journey from page to screen.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Director Steve Taylor, Author Don Miller, and Cinematographer Ben Pearson: Insightful exploration of the film’s creative process.
• Making Blue Like Jazz: Behind-the-scenes footage hosted by Don Miller.
• The Music: Composer Danny Seim discusses the soundtrack creation.
• Save Blue Like Jazz: Chronicles the funding challenges and Kickstarter campaign.
• The Cast: Features candid moments with key actors.
• The Animator: A charming segment on animator Jonathan Richter.
• This is My Story: Viewers share how the book and film impacted them.
• Deleted Shots: Humorous subtitles explain omitted scenes.
• Master Class: Directing Actors on Set: Lighthearted look at Taylor directing.
• Theatrical Trailer: Official trailer for the film.
• Photo Gallery: An array of production stills.

"Blue Like Jazz" portrays the transformative journey of Don Miller (Marshall Allman), a Texas Baptist who abandons his roots and heads to Portland's Reed College, seeking liberation from his religious upbringing. His departure is spurred by personal upheaval, including his mother's affair and subsequent pregnancy with a youth pastor. At Reed, Don attempts to shed his Baptist identity, mingling with an eclectic mix of students and encountering Lauryn (Tania Raymonde) and Penny (Claire Holt), who challenge his preconceived notions and catalyze his spiritual re-evaluation.

While the film commendably attempts to balance religious exploration with the typical college experience, it falls short in capturing the authentic Portland atmosphere and unique Reed College ethos. Key locales like Powell’s Books briefly spotlight the city, but most scenes were shot in Nashville, detracting from the intended backdrop’s credibility. Despite this setting mismatch, the film retains several genuine moments—such as the Scrounge Table tradition—and subtly critiques the protagonist’s struggle without veering into overt preachiness.

Director Steve Taylor’s insight into contemporary Christian dynamics infuses "Blue Like Jazz" with a nuanced narrative that refrains from heavy-handed evangelism. The film excels when it highlights Don's internal conflicts and tentative rediscovery of faith through mundane encounters and anti-capitalist student interactions. However, character arcs outside of Don’s journey feel underdeveloped, and his relationship with Penny lacks depth, undermining the film’s emotional resonance. Despite its imperfections, "Blue Like Jazz" succeeds as a compelling examination of personal faith and identity, offering more subtlety than typical Christian films.

"Blue Like Jazz" is a bold adaptation of Donald Miller's series of essays into a narrative film. The filmmakers embarked on a challenging endeavor to translate the introspective and episodic nature of Miller's work into a coherent storyline. Although the narrative execution is commendable, the film appears somewhat disconnected from its Portland roots. Despite this, the inclusion of quirky animated segments, such as the memorable giant bunny-carrot chase, adds a unique charm that pays homage to the source material.

The film stands out as a rare example of Christian cinema that appeals to both secular and religious audiences alike. It intertwines faith with a universally relatable coming-of-age story, emphasizing tolerance and subtlety. The performances are solid, making it accessible to viewers from diverse backgrounds. The Blu-ray release offers a robust package with ample additional material, enriching the viewing experience despite some minor shortcomings in the film's presentation quality.

Miller and Taylor set themselves a formidable task to begin with by attempting to adapt a bunch of essays into a narrative film. The odd thing about this all is that while the narrative is fairly well handled, the film seems positively divorced from its Portland (and Reed) setting. The most Portland-esque thing about this film is the totally bizarre yet hilarious animated sequence featuring the giant bunny driving Don's car and chasing after the large animated carrot (adapted from a graphic element in the book, an element which according to the commentary was added at the last moment to meet the publisher's demand for a certain page count). Lovers of Miller's book will probably find enough here to enjoy the film, but many others are probably going to wonder what all the fuss was about.

In conclusion, "Blue Like Jazz" is a refreshing take on Christian-themed films, eschewing heavy-handed messaging in favor of a more inclusive and entertaining approach. Its Blu-ray release ensures that fans receive additional content to explore beyond the main feature. For those intrigued by a coming-of-age narrative with a nuanced religious perspective, this film is certainly worth checking out.