Matrimony Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of Matrimony arrives with a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode (1.78:1) that largely underwhelms. The transfer is marred by a significant presence of scratches, dirt, and white specks, making the print look decidedly worn and limiting its visual appeal. While there are occasional moments of clarity and definition, these are heavily outweighed by an overall softness and visible noise around some edges. The fine detailing is generally poor, with facial textures and home accents appearing lifeless and bland, especially in low-light interiors. Occasionally, outdoor shots and brighter scenes provide a respite with more positive textures, but these instances are sparse.

Color representation is mixed; reds appear dominant and reasonably bold, but the overall palette is subdued, dominated by the golden glow of lamplight in many interior scenes. Unfortunately, banding is a recurring issue. Contrast is mostly well-balanced but can occasionally run hot, resulting in minor blooming in highlights. Blacks range from acceptable to murky, with intermittent shadow detail failure causing crushed blacks.

This release is a stark reminder of the challenges associated with older prints, particularly those not painstakingly remastered for Blu-ray. The general stability offered by the 1080p resolution is often compromised by the evident print damage and lack of meticulous care in the transfer process. Overall, this is a borderline disappointing presentation that fails to fully realize the potential of high-definition home viewing.

The audio presentation of "Matrimony" on Blu-ray, unfortunately, leaves much to be desired. The disc offers a Dolby Digital 5.1 native-language soundtrack but notably lacks a lossless option, leading to an overall underwhelming experience. Surround channels take up much of the material, sometimes to the extent that it becomes overbearing, resulting in a lack of balance. While dialogue is confined to the center channel and remains clear, other elements like music and ambient noises such as footfalls and city sounds, while fairly presented, lack the depth and precision expected from a higher quality mix.

The legacy Dolby Digital codec across both the 5.1 and stereo tracks is equally disappointing. The 5.1 surround sound track attempts to create an immersive atmosphere by pushing effects into the rear channels; however, the increased decibel levels make the track unnecessarily loud and occasionally obscure dialogue. The upper frequencies sometimes exhibit distortion, further detracting from the experience. The stereo track fares a bit better with a more natural soundstage and clearer vocals but suffers from a lack of dynamic range, feeling flat and uniform overall. Both tracks suffer from a lack of low-end response, making it difficult to fully engage with the audio.

Overall, the audio presentation on "Matrimony" is functional but falls short of providing a truly immersive or high-fidelity experience, noticeably missing the mark on precision and realism that are often achieved with higher-end formats like DTS or Dolby Atmos.

The Blu-Ray extras for "The Matrimony" provide a comprehensive look into the film’s creation, offering insightful interviews with key cast and crew members. Each segment is punctiliously subtitled in English, guaranteeing accessibility and clarity. The high-definition presentation of interviews and trailers ensures that the supplementary content is both visually captivating and technically proficient. This collection of extra features is essential for those who appreciate an in-depth behind-the-scenes perspective on filmmaking, with highlights including individual interviews with prominent figures such as Director Hua-Tao Teng and main actors Bing Bing Fan, Leon Lai, and Rene Liu. Additionally, the inclusion of relevant trailers enriches the overall experience, making this Blu-Ray a must-have for aficionados and cinephiles.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interview with Director Hua-Tao Teng: Insightful director's perspective.
• Actors Bing Bing Fan, Leon Lai, Rene Liu: Main cast interviews.
• Writer Jialu Zhang: Writer's creative process.
• Executive Producer Kuofu Chen: Producer's viewpoint.
• Trailers for The Matrimony: Two promotional trailers.
• Triad Underworld Trailer: Sneak peek of an associated film.
• Asia Extreme Sampler: Introduction to other Asian extreme films.

"The Matrimony" stands out as a nuanced ghost story intricately woven around the aftermath of a tragic accident, focusing on the emotional complexities rather than standard horror tropes. The narrative centers on three main characters: Junchu (Leon Lai), the bereaved lover now married to Sansan (Rene Liu), who discovers the lingering spirit of Junchu's deceased fiancée, Manli (Bingbing Fan). The film explores the emotionally charged and eerie dynamic between these characters, highlighting the intricacies of grief, love, and unresolved attachments. Hua-Tao Teng’s direction opts for subtle tension and deep-seated emotional currents over conventional scares, resulting in a story that's more unsettling for its emotional truths than its supernatural elements.

Technically, "The Matrimony" is a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling. Cinematographer Ping Bin Lee's work effectively employs shadows and slow camera movements to build a palpable sense of melancholy and suspense. The film's period setting enhances its languid pace, providing a deliberate and organic backdrop that allows the emotional narrative to take center stage. While some critics might find the film's pacing and dialogue to be meandering, it's this very approach that deepens the viewer's engagement with the characters' turmoil. The performances are solid across the board, although Leon Lai's portrayal sometimes feels rigid. Rene Liu and Bingbing Fan deliver compelling performances that navigate the fine line between devotion and despair.

Despite its strengths, "The Matrimony" does falter in certain areas. The screenplay’s detour into traditional horror elements disrupts the film’s otherwise cohesive emotional journey, leading to a somewhat jarring tonal shift. Additionally, there are underlying themes that may not sit well with modern sensibilities; specifically, Sansan's transformation to win Junchu's affection might be perceived as regressive. Nonetheless, the film’s visual appeal, combined with its ability to elicit genuine emotional responses, makes "The Matrimony" a notable entry in the genre hybrid space, blending romantic drama with supernatural intrigue.

"The Matrimony" Blu-ray presents a richly layered narrative blending traditional ghost story elements with compelling character development and psychological depth. Set against the backdrop of a grieving man and his new wife, haunted by the specter of a former lover, this Chinese supernatural horror attempts to deliver unique twists to genre conventions. The film succeeds in creating a contemplative atmosphere filled with genuine emotions rather than relying on cheap scares or fast edits. Strong direction and fine acting ensure a special resonance that transcends the typical horror fare.

Technically, the Blu-ray release by Palisades Tartan leaves much to be desired. The picture quality is mediocre, lacking the sharpness and richness expected from a high-definition release. Users have noted its passable nature but expressed disappointment in its inability to elevate the viewing experience. Similarly, the legacy audio presentation fails to reach contemporary standards, further detracting from the overall package. Limited and forgettable supplementary material, primarily consisting of interviews, offers little value to those seeking deeper insights or behind-the-scenes content.

The Matrimony is a strong and subtly engaging picture that's far more than a simple ghost story. The picture is home to great characters, strong direction, and fine acting, all in support of a unique story of life in death and death in life, that juxtaposition extraordinarily well-realized thanks to an emphasis on story rather than cheap thrills and dishonest scares. The Matrimony transcends the Horror genre and is likely to appeal to audiences craving something unique from cinema, something that slowly and contemplatively tells a story built on real emotions and genuine people rather than fast edits and lowest-common-denominator filmmaking techniques. Palisades Tartan's Blu-ray release of The Matrimony is technically lacking; both picture and sound quality are highly mediocre. Unfortunately, the supplements are few in number too, making this a disc best enjoyed as a rental or purchased at a steep discount.