Barcelona Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of Whit Stillman's "Barcelona" is a commendable effort overseen by the director himself and cinematographer John Thomas. Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, this 1080p transfer employs MPEG-4 AVC encoding, creating a visually arresting experience. Using a 2K resolution scan of the original 35mm A/B camera negative on a Lasergraphics Director film scanner, the restoration process at MTI Film in Los Angeles meticulously removed thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, and warps. Digital Vision's Phoenix addressed small dirt, grain, noise, jitter, and flicker concerns, resulting in an impressively clean image.

The transfer excels in presenting an image that is both vibrant and nuanced. Close-ups reveal exceptional depth and clarity, while wider shots maintain a superb fluidity. Indoor scenes with restricted lighting benefit from outstanding shadow definition. The color grading stands out with stable and well-balanced primary colors and rich nuances. Remarkably, blacks are deep and well-separated, enhancing nighttime scenes such as Ted and Fred's city drive. The color palette is both vivid and accurate, capturing the rich browns in Ted's apartment, the vibrant red blazers at the trade show, and the lush green grass during Ramon's picnic. Moreover, skin tones are consistent and natural, adding to the film's visual authenticity.

The film grain is evenly distributed and contributes positively to the texture detail. The detail is particularly noticeable in intricate elements like Marta's flamboyant costume at a party, adding to the film's depth within scenes. Image stability is superb throughout, with no transfer-specific anomalies detected. This Region-A locked Blu-ray requires a native Region-A or Region-Free player for access. Overall, the careful attention to detail in the restoration process ensures "Barcelona" looks as pristine and engaging as ever, maintaining its cinematic integrity while offering a revitalized viewing experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Barcelona" features a singular, standard audio track: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 with optional English SDH subtitles. This dialog-driven film may not boast the dynamic intensity characteristic of contemporary blockbuster mixes, but the remastered lossless track delivers excellently on separation, depth, and fluidity. Sound quality remains pristine throughout, free from any pops, cracks, dropouts, or digital distortions.

Remastered at 24-bit from the original 35mm magnetic tracks, the audio track benefits from the meticulous removal of clicks, thumps, hiss, hum, and crackle using Pro Tools HD and iZotope RX4. Activating Dolby Pro Logic decoding on your receiver is recommended for optimal playback of the Dolby Digital 2.0 surround soundtrack. Dialogue is crisp and clear with superb intelligibility, although there's a minor issue in one scene where music overpowers the dialogue slightly. Ambient effects, such as rain, enhance the spatial dimension around the characters. Mark Suozzo's score integrates seamlessly with other sound elements, complemented by diegetic music and impactful bass in scenes featuring explosions. The track exhibits no signs of wear or defects.

The Blu Ray extras for "Barcelona" are an invaluable complement to the main feature, providing both depth and context to Whit Stillman's directorial efforts. The commentary, featuring Stillman along with actors Chris Eigeman and Taylor Nichols, offers not only technical insights but also a charming interplay indicative of their camaraderie. Complementary features like the original trailer, archival television interviews, and a selection of deleted scenes, all enhance the viewer’s understanding of the film’s production and thematic undertones. These extras collectively serve as an excellent resource for fans and cinephiles delving into Stillman's milieu and the era in which "Barcelona" was produced.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Director Stillman and actors Eigeman and Nichols discuss filming locations, sequences, music, and more.
• Trailer: Original trailer for "Barcelona."
• Today: Segment from 1994 featuring an interview with Stillman about filming challenges and marketing.
• Alternate Ending: Includes optional commentary by Stillman and actors.
• The Making of Barcelona: Archival featurette with on-set footage and interviews.
• Deleted Scenes: Four scenes with optional director commentary.
• The Dick Cavett Show: 1991 interview discussing "Metropolitan" and filmmaking.
• Charlie Rose: 1994 interview about "Barcelona" and its production.
• Video Essay: Critic Farran Smith Nehme examines Stillman’s trilogy.
• Leaflet: Essay by Haden Guest with film credits.

Whit Stillman's "Barcelona" (1994) presents two intriguing American cousins, Ted Boyton (Taylor Nichols) and Fred Boyton (Chris Eigeman), navigating their lives amidst the vibrant backdrop of early 1980s Barcelona. Beyond the primary narrative framework, the film excels in capturing the idiosyncratic dialogues and interactions emblematic of Stillman's style. Characters speak with a sophistication rarely found in mainstream cinema, weaving intellectual banter even when inebriated. The film thrives on these spontaneous and highbrow exchanges, making it a unique viewing experience where the unexpected becomes norm.

Ted, a sales representative worried about job security, and Fred, an outspoken Navy officer, each bring their insecurities and ambitions to the forefront against a politically charged setting. The film effectively explores Ted's romantic disillusionment and his attempt to navigate relationships post his break-up. His relationship with Monsterrat (Tushka Bergen) brings forth the complications of idealized love clashing with reality. Meanwhile, Fred faces tensions from the local populace who distrust NATO and American interventions, his uniform a constant reminder of political undercurrents.

"Barcelona" juxtaposes comedy and drama, focusing on cultural misunderstandings that enhance its comedic aspects while grounding its narrative in authentic period detail. Despite some political elements now feeling dated, the film's portrayal of American naivety is sharply unsettling. Particularly, the third act’s shift towards darker themes is handled with precision, seamlessly integrating into the prior comedic tone. The story’s poignant reflections on American expats' experiences resonate throughout, bolstered by Whit Stillman’s adept direction that ensures this blend of comedy and socio-political commentary remains engaging and thought-provoking.

The Criterion Collection Blu-ray of "Barcelona" enriches this experience by preserving the film’s nuanced performances and offering substantial supplementary features. Region-A locked, it is an essential acquisition for aficionados of Stillman's distinctive cinematic voice.

Whit Stillman's 'Barcelona' elegantly captures the essence of a smart, sophisticated adult comedy, diverging from the common association of adult films with explicit content. The film's 2K remastering, overseen by Stillman and cinematographer John Thomas, presents a visually beautiful rendition that enhances its timeless appeal. The high-definition transfer showcases Barcelona’s picturesque locales with exceptional clarity, making it visually delightful for any cinephile. Coupled with satisfactory audio quality, the film offers an immersive viewing experience.

From a narrative perspective, 'Barcelona' functions more effectively as a chronicle of a specific era than merely a quirky romantic comedy. Its characters, though entertaining and distinctly peculiar, may be difficult for some viewers to fully embrace. The cultural and political observations embedded within the storyline are sometimes unfocused, which might detract from its overall impact. Nonetheless, the film's charm lies in its unique character dynamics and witty dialogue that offer a refreshing departure from conventional romantic comedies.

The Blu-ray release excels with its selection of supplemental features that enhance the overall viewing experience. These extras provide valuable insights and context that may even surpass the enjoyment derived from the film itself. Enthusiasts of 'Barcelona' will find these features particularly enriching.

In conclusion, 'Barcelona' stands out as a distinctive time capsule of culture and comedy. While the film itself may have some narrative weaknesses, its high-definition presentation is superb, and the addition of engaging extras makes this Blu-ray release highly recommended. Fans of Whit Stillman and those interested in culturally infused narratives will find this Blu-ray to be a worthy addition to their collection. For those who appreciate 'Barcelona', exploring Cédric Klapisch's romantic comedy 'The Spanish Apartment' is an excellent next step.