Mountains May Depart Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Mountains May Depart" offers an intriguing visual experience that aligns with its unique narrative structure. The AVC encoded 1080p resolution captures the essence of three distinct time periods, each defined by its own aspect ratio. While scenes shot in 2014 showcase excellent clarity and detail—with vibrant colors, natural skintones, and crisp facial particulars—the sequences from 1999, captured during that era, present a deliberately rough video state, replete with noticeable artifacting. This intentional contrast underscores the film’s thematic evolution over time.

Modern cinematography in the film is highlighted by a bright, clean image quality that excels in portraying textures and environmental details. Colors are bold and primary hues are handled deftly, contributing to a visually rich experience. However, brightness levels fluctuate throughout the film in accordance with the director’s vision. Delineation remains acceptable, though some minor issues such as banding and false contouring do arise. Notably, during a scene where Tao visits her sick friend, there is noticeable false contouring in her black hair, and some of the disco scenes with strobe lights reveal brief instances of pixelation and blurring.

Despite these minor flaws, the high-definition transfer successfully conveys the cinematographic artistry of "Mountains May Depart," particularly in its scenic depictions of China and Australia. Overall, while some technical imperfections are present, they are unlikely to detract significantly from the viewing experience for most audiences.

The "Mountains May Depart" Blu-ray boasts a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track that adeptly maintains the film's intimate tone while delivering moments of immersive auditory engagement. The mix effectively utilizes the surround channels during pivotal scenes, such as a helicopter's takeoff at a Melbourne airport and beach waves enveloping the listener. These instances reveal the dynamic range and depth of the sound mix. Dialogue throughout is clear and intelligible, though the final act's broken English can render some exchanges challenging to follow. Notably, English subtitles are available only for the 1999 and 2014 segments, which might be insufficient, especially when Australian accents are prominently featured.

Despite being predominantly a subdued drama, the stereo separation is executed with precision, particularly enhancing the pop music sequences that seep into the surround channels and atmospherics convincingly. Explosions and thumping music are delivered with palpable impact, adding layers of dynamism to the otherwise restrained soundscape. While this presentation may not achieve reference-quality status, it nonetheless impresses by elevating an otherwise monophonic film into an engaging auditory experience, featuring a center channel that ensures dialogue remains front and center. Overall, the audio mix strikes a commendable balance between subtlety and sophistication, suitable for the film’s dramatic narrative context.

The Blu-ray edition of "Mountains May Depart" offers a concise selection of extras that deliver valuable insight into the film and its creation. A notable highlight is the extensive discussion in New York Film Festival: A Conversation with Jia Zhangke, a 73-minute featurette showcasing a Q&A session with the director. While informative, the dual translation process and static camera work may challenge viewer engagement. Additionally, the Theatrical Trailer is a well-produced preview that, despite its focus on secondary characters, effectively captures the film's essence. Lastly, an insightful essay by Aliza Ma can be found in the Booklet, providing a deeper understanding of the film’s themes.

Extras included in this disc:

• New York Film Festival: A Conversation with Jia Zhangke: Extended Q&A session with the director.
• Theatrical Trailer: Brief preview encapsulating key elements of the film.
• Booklet: An essay by Aliza Ma offering thoughtful analysis of the movie's narrative.

In "Mountains May Depart," director Jia Zhangke intricately weaves a tapestry that spans 25 years of Chinese cultural and economic transformation. The narrative follows Tao (Tao Zhao), Jinsheng (Yi Zhang), and Liangzi (Jing Dong Liang) across three distinct periods: 1999, 2014, and 2025. The film captures the ambitions and disillusionments of its characters through a nuanced portrayal of evolving relationships, particularly emphasizing Tao’s journey from youthful exuberance to isolated maturity. The shift in aspect ratios—4:3 for 1999, 16:9 for 2014, and 2.35:1 for 2025—effectively mirrors the characters' changing lives, although some may find the transitions confusing. The production excels in its visual storytelling, with poignant performances enhancing the portrayal of grief and the inevitable passage of time.

Central to the film is a love triangle, illustrating the diverging paths of Tao, Jinsheng, and Liangzi. Using beautifully composed shots, Zhangke delves into themes of personal growth juxtaposed with societal change. Supporting characters and subplots, such as Dollar’s relationship with his father in Australia and his search for maternal connection, add depth to the overarching narrative. Despite occasional lapses into melodrama and moments where pacing may falter, the film’s emotional core remains compelling. The actors deliver powerful performances, although some critics argue that character development, particularly with male leads, occasionally suffers from stereotypical portrayals, diminishing empathy for their plights.

Overall, "Mountains May Depart" successfully explores generational shifts in China amidst a backdrop of economic progress and cultural erosion. While the film's format and storytelling style may not resonate with all audiences, Zhangke’s artistic intent is clear and resonant, underscoring the profound impact of time on human relationships and societal norms. The Blu-ray presentation by Kino Lorber complements this intricate film with thoughtful packaging and insightful extras, enriching the viewing experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Mountains May Depart" offers a visually and thematically intriguing narrative, bearing promise through its ambition and cultural exploration. Known for Jia Zhangke's distinctive directorial style, the film aims to traverse personal and socio-political landscapes from 1999 onwards, encapsulating China's rapid transformations along the way. The Blu-ray transfer reproduces the film's nuanced cinematography with impressive clarity, faithfully rendering the shifts in aspect ratios that parallel the story's temporal movements. However, some viewers may find this technical execution a distraction, feeling it could disrupt the immersion in the film's emotional resonance.

Key thematic strokes—loss of tradition, familial estrangement, and the quest for identity—come through with a contemplative finesse, reflecting Zhangke's signature depth. Yet, as the story advances to its 2025 segment, set in Australia, the film appears to waver in its otherwise sharp focus. The narrative expansion into a broader scope tends to dilute the poignancy of individual character arcs, making portions of the storyline feel somewhat disjointed and overly ambitious. The absence of a more intimate calibration in these moments is noted, hampering the connection to both character and plot that had been initially established.

The 2025 segment takes the story to Australia to explore the loss of Chinese culture and the pain of isolation, but "Mountains May Depart" loses concentration on the details of drama, going broad as a way to conclude a story that feels like it began as a small idea to help understand national growth and blossomed quickly, just beyond the helmer's control. A disorienting shift toward the obvious doesn't destroy "Mountains May Depart," but it does leave it lacking where it counts the most. The Blu-ray itself is admirably executed, but overall, this release may not satisfy those seeking a tightly woven narrative journey.