Memories of Me Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Memories of Me," part of MVD Visual's MVD Marquee Collection, showcases an AVC encoded 1080p transfer with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Overall, the video quality can be rated as solid yet uneven. While outdoor scenes in bright, sunny conditions reveal excellent detail and clarity, presenting a pleasing level of fidelity, other sequences suffer due to a faded palette that leans heavily towards brown. There is a rough grain field evident throughout the presentation, with certain moments featuring chunky, yellow-tinged grain, which seems random and unappealing. A few instances of age-related damage such as speckles and dirt flecks are noticeable but do not dominate the viewing experience.

Despite some of these visual shortcomings, the Blu-ray manages to deliver reasonably high-quality resolution in several instances, especially with close-ups that provide clear facial definition and texture. Medium shots maintain a natural, organic look without considerable faults. Bright contrast levels and robust black levels effectively enhance the dimension of the imagery. Unique sequences, such as those set in vibrant areas like a Mexican neighborhood in L.A., stand out with well-saturated primaries and fine detail, including vivid scenes like a hat stand with an array of designs. Skin tones reproduce accurately for the most part, contributing to a more lifelike presentation.

In summary, "Memories of Me" on Blu-ray presents a balanced yet sometimes inconsistent visual experience. The encoding is handled adeptly, maintaining stability in grain structure and proper resolution. Small imperfections related to aging film elements are expected from a print nearing 30 years old but do not significantly detract from the viewing pleasure. While not a top-tier transfer, it does provide a faithful and mostly engaging visual representation.

The audio presentation of "Memories of Me" on Blu-ray features an LPCM 2.0 mono track that more than capably supports the film's dialogue and effective score by Georges Delerue. This track is characterized by its clarity and lack of damage, with no noticeable hissing or popping. Dialogue, though slightly worn with age, remains high in treble and particularly clear. The film includes several pieces that feature jazz-inflected trumpet cues, critical to character portrayal and plot development, and these elements are delivered with precision, retaining their highs effectively.

Though the track is not showy from a sonic perspective, it demonstrates a well-balanced and problem-free audio range. Ambient environmental effects are carefully placed in outdoor scenes, subtly enhancing the realism without overwhelming the primary audio content. The PCM mono track maintains sufficient clarity throughout the film's runtime, supporting Crystal’s trumpet performances and the minor touches of Delerue's score with an appropriately limited, yet effective, range. Overall, this narrow yet reliable track ensures a satisfactory auditory experience that complements the visual elements without detracting from them.

The Blu-ray extras for "Memories of Me" offer a nostalgic glimpse into the film's production process, mainly focused on archival content. The Making of Featurette provides behind-the-scenes footage and promotional materials, typical of the 1980s. However, technical flaws like a visible timecode and an imbalanced audio mix, where background chatter overshadows the narration, diminish its value. Despite this, it remains an engaging artifact for fans. Additional bonus content includes relevant trailers and unaltered screenshots, which enhance the overall appreciation of the film’s visual and promotional history.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making of Featurette: An archival piece with set footage marred by technical issues.
• Trailers: Includes a trailer for "Memories of Me" and several others from MVD releases.

"Memories of Me," directed by Henry Winkler, entails an odd juxtaposition of sentimental drama and comedy, oscillating between emotional conflicts and caricatured Hollywood antics. Billy Crystal, who co-writes and stars as hard-driving heart surgeon Abbie Polin, suffers a health scare, which sets off a predictable yet compelling narrative arc to reconnect with his estranged father, Abe, played by Alan King. The backdrop of Hollywood serves as a playground for Abe, whose career as a perennial extra is portrayed with an almost surreal, sometimes cartoonish quality. This odd mix of schmaltz and lowbrow comedy tends to dilute the film’s emotional core, occasionally diverting its initial intentions into fitful laughs.

What stands out are the performances. King, despite a somewhat gruff characterization reminiscent of his stand-up roots, exudes an undeniable charm and empathy. Crystal’s portrayal of Abbie, alternating between strained familial interactions and introspective dry humor, balances the narrative scales. Their on-screen chemistry successfully embodies a believable father-son dynamic amidst often repetitive and flat material. Notably, JoBeth Williams, as Abbie's girlfriend Lisa, appears to struggle in establishing a consistently engaging presence; her character fluctuates unconvincingly between independent self-assuredness and relational dependence.

Despite its inherent flaws and overly melodramatic sequences, “Memories of Me” remains appealing due to its historical curiosity—being one of only two directorial ventures by Henry Winkler. The film endeavors to critique Hollywood's plight while inadvertently embracing its clichés. Nonetheless, it ultimately leans heavily into sentimentality and formulaic resolutions, steering away from profound insights into emotional reparations. "Memories of Me" captures moments of touching introspection amid a sea of predictability and affective indulgence.

"Memories of Me" offers a touching narrative centered around fractured familial bonds, highlighted by Billy Crystal and Alan King's commendable performances. The film tries to balance humor with heartfelt moments, but at times falls into predictable territory that dilutes its intended emotional impact. The bittersweet relationship dynamics are well-intentioned, yet the film's climactic attempts at emotional resolution feel somewhat anticipated, diminishing their potency.

On the technical front, the Blu Ray version presents a mixed bag. The video quality, while satisfactory, does not stand out as particularly exceptional. It manages to capture the era-appropriate aesthetics but lacks the sharpness and vibrancy that one might expect from modern remasterings. On the other hand, the audio quality is a notable positive, delivering a clean and immersive sound experience that supports the film's emotional tone effectively.

In summary, "Memories of Me" is bolstered by the strong performances of its leads but is somewhat let down by its formulaic narrative and script. While the Blu Ray offers good audio quality, the video presentation is merely adequate. The film may cater to those interested in 80s cinema and fans of Crystal and King but falls short of being a definitive purchase for a wider audience.