Berlin, I Love You Blu-ray Review

"Berlin, I Love You" is presented on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The film, digitally captured using Arri Alexa products, displays impressive visual fidelity which is likely supported by a 2K DI. The visual consistency across various vignettes is surprising, attributed to the singular vision of cinematographer Kolja Brandt. The imagery alternates between vibrantly intense sequences, such as the psychedelic nightclub scenes, and more somber moments with a wintry gray palette seen in outdoor settings. Detail levels are commendable, notably in extreme close-ups of facial features, hair, and character outfits. Though some dimly lit scenes present challenges such as reduced fine detail and murkiness, overall the transfer maintains high detail standards.

The transfer boasts robust color handling, with bright, vivid primaries that transition into subdued tones in outdoor segments. Blacks are strikingly deep, providing strong contrast balance and sufficient detail even in shadow-heavy scenes. The vivid lighting contrasts within the nightclub sequences are managed adeptly by the transfer, ensuring the intensity of illumination enhances rather than detracts from the visual clarity. Despite the film's anthology nature with multiple directors, Brandt’s consistent cinematography ensures a uniform aesthetic harmony throughout the narrative. Overall, "Berlin, I Love You" achieves an exemplary visual presentation that complements its diverse storytelling.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray for "Berlin, I Love You" delivers an immersive experience through its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. This track ensures a natural and compelling soundscape, particularly in outdoor scenes where the urban environment comes alive through the surround channels. These sequences are marked by an appealingly rich midrange that enhances the overall audio quality. Dialogue is consistently clear and clean, making the narrative accessible in all languages featured, thus reflecting an impeccably problem-free audio track.

Moreover, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track stands out for its adept handling of both dialogue and music, maintaining crisp clarity and consistent projection throughout the film. The surround channels are utilized continuously, creating a richly textured, lush soundfield that deeply immerses the audience. Notably, the LFE elements are robust and punchy, especially evident during high-energy scenes such as industrial club settings with EDM tracks, delivering impactful bass without any noticeable distortion. This well-balanced track excels in providing an engaging audio experience that complements the film's diverse and dynamic environments.

The special features section of the "Berlin, I Love You" Blu-ray disc is notably sparse and disappointing. While the main menu advertises 'Special Features,' these are primarily trailers for other Lionsgate releases and do not provide any substantial insight or behind-the-scenes content for the film itself. Given the complex and multifaceted nature of the movie, it is a missed opportunity that no additional, meaningful materials are included. The expectation for supplementary content remains unmet with only promotional trailers available.

Extras included in this disc:

• Lionsgate Trailers: A selection of promotional previews for other Lionsgate titles.

"Berlin, I Love You" presents a complex yet fragmented cinematic endeavor, piecing together a series of vignettes under the Cities of Love franchise created by Emmanuel Benbihy. While the film aims to capture the essence of Berlin through a mosaic of loosely interconnected stories, it struggles with tonal discrepancies and an uneven narrative flow. The film begins on a nostalgic note with Damiel (Robert Stadlober) donning angel wings, reminiscent of Wim Wenders' "Wings of Desire," only to transition abruptly into varied tales from a talking car preventing suicide (Jim Sturgess) to the refugee crisis addressed poignantly by Keira Knightley and Helen Mirren. Despite interesting turns, characters like Mickey Rourke’s aging playboy and Jenna Dewan’s tourist feel misplaced, pushing the city’s emblematic presence to the periphery.

Each vignette maintains its unique style while adhering to a consistent visual aesthetic, yet the anthology format requires more cohesiveness to resonate with audiences. The strong performances, especially in pieces like “Under Your Feet” which tackles immigration with genuine gravity, contrast sharply with less impactful segments that resort to cliché or lack depth. The film's attempt at magical realism, as seen in the bizarre “Berlin Ride,” feels disjointed rather than whimsical, and segments on contemporary issues like the #MeToo movement grapple with oversimplification and sudden tonal shifts. The anchor narrative of Damiel and Sara's predictable romance fails to compellingly tie the patchwork stories together.

Though "Berlin, I Love You" includes notable actors and engaging scenes, its fragmented execution detracts from its potential. It exhibits moments of brilliance but ultimately feels like a collection of short films without a unifying spirit. The film captures glimpses of Berlin’s multifaceted character but misses a deeper connection to the city's unique vibrancy and cultural identity. This Blu-ray release highlights the series' ambitious vision yet exposes its inherent challenges in balancing diverse tales within a single thematic framework.

Berlin, I Love You attempts to capture the vibrant essence of Berlin through a series of vignettes, yet it ultimately delivers a disjointed and underwhelming experience. Despite the city's rich historical and cultural backdrop, the film fails to provide a cohesive narrative that encapsulates Berlin’s unique spirit. Each vignette has an intriguing premise but often falls short in execution, lacking the emotional depth and resonance one might expect from the franchise.

The Blu-ray release from Lionsgate Films boasts a commendable A/V presentation, with vivid, sharp visuals and clear, well-balanced audio that highlights the diverse soundscape of Berlin. However, the supplemental material is sparse, limited to a few trailers, which doesn't add significant value to the package. It is evident that the technical merits are well-managed, but they alone cannot compensate for the overall mediocrity of the film's content.

One narrative involving a teenager (Micheangelo Fortuzzi) and a drag queen (Diego Luna) stands out slightly for its somewhat authentic connection to Berlin's colorful history, although it may strike some viewers as clichéd or even offensive. The segment featuring acclaimed actors Keira Knightley and Helen Mirren is perhaps the most satisfying moment in the film, yet even it falls short of elevating the overall experience.

In conclusion, Berlin, I Love You offers only fleeting moments of genuine connection to the city it aims to celebrate. While technically proficient in terms of its Blu-ray presentation, the film itself lacks strong storytelling and meaningful engagement. Prospective viewers may find it difficult to recommend this installment unless they are deeply committed to the Cities of Love franchise. Therefore, despite its technical allure, Berlin, I Love You is one to skip for those seeking substantial cinematic fare.