My Love Affair with Marriage Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "My Love Affair with Marriage" by MVD Visual offers an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. This intriguing animated production employs a variety of artistic techniques, delivering a visually rich yet stylistically eclectic experience. While the character animations may not showcase immense detail, they maintain secure line integrity and a vividly captivating palette. The real-world props and settings provide an appealing contrast with their textured fine detail, enhancing the whimsical disjunction inherent in the film's aesthetic. This creative blend accentuates the narrative's charm, interspersing distinct animations of biological processes during interior monologues to evoke abstract concepts such as the fight or flight syndrome.

Director Signe Baumane's dedication is evident in this debut production, crafted over seven years in a Brooklyn studio. The animation style, reminiscent of both "The Simpsons" and Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are," embraces a paper mache technique that results in a deliberately flat and unrefined aesthetic. While not aimed at those seeking traditional animated splendor, the presentation achieves a satisfactory quality with its 1080p transfer. Featuring a Dolby Vision enhanced BD-50 disc to accommodate its 108-minute runtime, the transfer retains fidelity within the limitations of Blu-ray's color palette, leveraging mostly darker tones that complement the film's unique artistic vision.

The audio presentation of "My Love Affair With Marriage" on Blu-Ray provides two options: LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. While this is not an overly immersive surround experience, the 5.1 track effectively enhances particular elements, most notably the trio of Mythology Sirens who play a pivotal role in the soundscape with their unique vocal contributions. These sirens contribute both to the atmospheric fabric of the film and come to prominence during the closing credits, which feature a notable track by Storm Large. The stereo track reliably supports the primary spoken content of the film, primarily in the form of monologues or narrative interludes by characters such as Zelma and Biology, ensuring dialogue remains consistently clear.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix offers a simplified surround effect centered around the Sirens' lyrics, composed by Kristian Sensini and Signe Baumane. The dynamic range is somewhat compressed, which might not satisfy audiophiles seeking a full-bodied sound. However, it serves its purpose by delivering intelligible dialogue throughout. The music, while not traditionally melodic, possesses an intriguing fidelity with average bass depth. It’s noteworthy that this lossless audio experience is specific to the MVD's Blu-Ray edition, in contrast to the French version offering only Dolby Digital sound. Additionally, the release includes a secondary track in PCM stereo 2.0, providing flexibility for different audio preferences.

Subtitles are generously offered in multiple languages, including English SDH, French, Spanish, and Latvian, presented in a clearly visible white font, which enhances accessibility for a wider audience. Overall, the audio is one of the stronger technical aspects of this independent animated project, despite its unconventional musical approach that may divide audience opinion.

The Blu-ray extras of "My Love Affair with Marriage" provide a comprehensive look at the film's creative process, anchored by an in-depth presentation by director and animator Signe Baumane. This nearly hour-long segment features Baumane's insightful PowerPoint presentation, recorded during the Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series in Detroit. It showcases detailed discussions that delve into the technical and creative aspects of the film’s development, offering valuable insights into Baumane's filmmaking approach. Additionally, the disc includes the original theatrical trailer that briefly encapsulates the film's narrative and visual style. Notably, this Region A release by MVD Visual contrasts with a French Region B edition that possesses alternate exclusive content, including two shorts and a featurette by the director.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Brief preview of the film.
• Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series: An in-depth PowerPoint presentation by Signe Baumane on her filmmaking process.

"My Love Affair with Marriage," a film by Signe Baumane, presents a daringly personal narrative, intertwining cultural and individual growth with whimsical animation and biological introspection. It documents Zelma's journey from childhood under Communist Latvia to grappling with adult relationships, all while exploring the interplay between her idiosyncratic upbringing and romantic ideals. The film features a distinct animation style, combining practical 3D sets and 2D animated figures, crafting a whimsical aesthetic that contrasts sharply with Zelma's emotional turmoil.

The film’s bold narrative approach is underscored by its dual perspective, exploring both Zelma's internal emotional strife and an anthropomorphized version of her Biology. This creates a parallel reminiscent of "Inside Out,” but delivered with an indie charm. However, these ambitions occasionally falter due to awkward dialogue and discordant voice acting. While established talents like Matthew Modine and Stephen Lang lend their voices, Dagmara Dominczyk’s portrayal of Zelma at times feels stilted. This does little to aid the film’s broader reception, which feels narrowly targeted and overly introspective.

While Baumane’s film attempts to harness music and mythological Sirens as a narrative device, the outcome is often more confusing than enlightening. Lyrics and dialogue veer towards reductionist views on romance and self-discovery, detracting from the intended profundity. The juxtaposition of dreamy visuals against blunt dialogue can appear jarring, struggling to merge Baumane’s personal vision with universal appeal. "My Love Affair with Marriage" is a distinctive yet polarizing exploration of womanhood, characterized by a unique blend of visual flair and biographical storytelling, though its execution might not resonate beyond its niche audience.

Signe Baumane's "My Love Affair with Marriage" is a daring cinematic exploration of self-discovery and personal authenticity, intricately embedded within the framework of animated narrative and musical elements. The film navigates the complex yet relatable journey of Zelma, a woman striving to reconcile societal expectations with her own identity. Baumane's unique style shines through, blending vivid animation with eclectic storytelling to symbolize Zelma’s internal and external conflicts. This approach not only highlights the challenges facing women but also suggests broader questions about identity and transformation, particularly as Zelma grapples with subtle changes in her second husband, Bo.

The Blu-ray release showcases the film’s technical merits proficiently, ensuring a high-quality home viewing experience. The animation comes alive through vibrant colors and meticulous detail, creating an engaging visual landscape that complements the thematic depth of the storyline. Audio features such as dialogue clarity and musical reproduction are handled adeptly, though the soundtrack occasionally accentuates the film's semi-musical awkwardness. These technical aspects underscore Baumane’s distinctive stylistic choices and enhance the viewer's immersion into Zelma’s nuanced world.

In conclusion, "My Love Affair with Marriage" is a unique cinematic piece that will likely resonate on different levels with viewers depending on personal perspectives. While its themes may particularly appeal to women, the film's introspective examination of self-identity offers universal insights. Baumane’s work is both a captivating narrative and a profound reflection of human nature, making it a recommended addition for audiences interested in innovative storytelling.