Lady Sings the Blues Blu-ray Review

Paramount Pictures presents "Lady Sings the Blues" on Blu-ray with a 1080p resolution transfer in a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The image quality is somewhat mixed, featuring both highs and lows. The overall texture is satisfactory but lacks consistency, as graininess fluctuates throughout the film. Some scenes are noticeably sharper and more defined, while others present a certain softness that, although not overly distracting, may be observed by discerning viewers. Colors fare well enough but maintain a somewhat flat appearance, which, while faithful to the source, could disappoint those expecting vibrant hues. Fortunately, skin tones and key colors remain stable, lending authenticity to both character and setting.

The detailed period costumes and various environmental elements offer commendable clarity. This includes the intricate designs of Diana Ross’s dresses and Williams’ suits, enhancing the film's historical aesthetic. However, certain darker scenes fall short in definition, reducing the overall visual impact. The outdoor scenes, primarily shot on studio backlots, convincingly recreate 1930s Harlem with a romanticized flair. Montages featuring black-and-white and sepia tones effectively contribute to the storytelling, despite their vintage style.

Notably, the transfer appears to derive from an older master and does not include the benefits of modern enhancements like 4K or HDR. Despite this, Paramount’s AVC encoding remains transparent and without significant technical flaws, such as ringing or encode failures. Black levels are stable though not exemplary, supporting overall image clarity with an acceptable level of contrast. The print appears well-preserved with minimal wear or anomalies, making this Blu-ray release more than adequate for fans seeking a true-to-source rendition of this classic biopic, despite its somewhat dated presentation.

The audio presentation of "Lady Sings the Blues" on Blu-ray features a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack, which provides a generally clear but disappointingly timid auditory experience. The opening score by Michel Legrand, intended to set the scene, plays rather quietly and lacks both vigor and front spread, with practically no surround extension or subwoofer engagement. While the front-center experience suffices for dialogue clarity, requiring a potential volume increase from reference, the overall sound engineering does not fully exploit the dynamic range that one might expect from a high-quality jazz-centric film.

The film's soundtrack, pivotal to its narrative and emotional impact, falls short in delivering a true surround sound experience. Despite effective sound mixing in scenes involving Billie Holiday's singing and ambient club sounds, there is noticeable absence of channel movement and surround involvement. This is particularly unfortunate given the significance of music in the film. Diana Ross's performances of iconic songs such as "God Bless the Child" and "Strange Fruit" are clear but not dynamically rendered. The bass is notably light for a jazz-infused score, contributing to a thin overall recording that sticks closely to its original monaural roots.

Subtitles are available in English, English SDH, and French, offering accessibility options. Notwithstanding these positives, the soundtrack feels like a repurposed effort from the earlier DVD release rather than a fully reimagined 5.1 mix. Overall, although dialogue reproduction is reliable, the audio experience remains straightforward and simplified, lacking the robust surround features that could have significantly enhanced the film’s immersive qualities.

The Blu-ray extras for "Lady Sings the Blues" offer an insightful and comprehensive set of features that delve deep into the film's production and legacy. The Audio Commentary by Executive Producer Berry Gordy, Director Sidney Furie, and Artist Manager Shelly Berger is an informative track that dissects key facets of the movie with honesty and depth, offering both broad topics and nuanced details. The Behind the Blues: Lady Sings the Blues featurette provides a detailed exploration of the film's origins, direction, cinematography, and much more, enriched by extended interviews with Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams. Lastly, the Deleted Scenes present seven cut scenes in varying quality, granting additional context to Billie's journey.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: In-depth discussions by key figures.
• Behind the Blues: Lady Sings the Blues: Detailed featurette with interviews.
• Deleted Scenes: Seven deleted scenes providing extra narrative context.

"Lady Sings the Blues" (1972) is a biographical film about legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday, directed by Sidney J. Furie. It stars Diana Ross, in a career-defining role that earned her a Best Actress Oscar nomination. Adapted from Holiday's autobiography, the film traces her journey from a troubled adolescence to becoming a jazz and blues icon, with vivid depictions of her struggles with substance abuse and its impact on her life and career. The narrative, featuring characters like her lover and manager Louis McKay (Billy Dee Williams) and a supportive piano player (Richard Pryor), presents a compelling portrait of an artist facing relentless personal and societal challenges.

Diana Ross' portrayal of Holiday is outstanding, marked by nuance and depth, showcasing her considerable talent for both dramatic performance and musical interpretation. Her chemistry with Billy Dee Williams adds emotional resonance, enhancing their onscreen relationship. The film balances careful period detail with strong character development. However, it does not shy away from the harsh realities of Holiday's life, including her battle with heroin addiction and experiences of racial discrimination. Ross' musical performances are particularly poignant, capturing the essence of Holiday's style even if not mimicking her exactly.

Technically, the film is robust. John A. Alonzo's cinematography stands out for its atmospheric mood-setting and emotional subtlety, supporting Furie's solid direction without overpowering the narrative's human focus. Despite questions about its historical authenticity, the film's powerful storytelling and Ross' magnetic lead performance make it a significant piece of cinema. It's notable not just for its artistic merits but also as a landmark in 1970s Black cinema, reflecting the era's growing appreciation for African-American culture through the lens of one of its most influential artists.

"Lady Sings the Blues" offers an engaging portrayal of jazz legend Billie Holiday, featuring Diana Ross in a breakout dramatic role that showcases her acting and musical prowess. Ross's performance is matched by Billy Dee Williams, who delivers a strong pre-Star Wars performance as Louis McKay, and Richard Pryor, who brings a unique charm to his supporting role. While the narrative fits the classic rise-and-fall template, it succeeds with authenticity and emotional depth, making it difficult to look away from the screen.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation is competent though not exceptional. The picture quality is serviceable, delivering solid visuals that do justice to the period setting and rich color palette. Sound quality is adequate for a film of its age, enhancing the musical performances without distorting them. Additionally, the release includes a handful of quality extras that provide valuable context and add to the overall package.

Regardless of its absolute adherence to authenticity or stray from it for dramatic purposes, there's no denying there's an engaging, powerful film in "Lady Sings the Blues." Even though the central story feels cut-and-paste -- an individual rises from a seemingly inescapable bottom to reach the top, only to fall hard from grace -- there's a sincerity to its telling, a rawness to its emotions, a reality to characters. Ross is a revelation and Williams is terrific in a pre-Star Wars role while a fairly young Richard Pryor is a delight, as always. Neither the picture nor the sound are going to dazzle or delight but they're workmanlike, at least, and the picture quality is pretty solid overall. A few quality extras are included, too. Recommended.