The January Man Blu-ray Review

Kino's 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray presentation of "The January Man" is a proficient transfer that effectively showcases the late Eighties New York aesthetic captured by cinematographer Jerzy Zielinski. This Blu-ray, derived from a master supplied by MGM, features moderate blacks and adequate detail, with a natural grain pattern that fits the analog film’s characteristics. While some viewers may find the graininess, particularly in night scenes, to be slightly excessive, it is consistent with the period and shooting conditions. Video noise is minimized, and despite an average bitrate of 23.93 Mbps, the image remains largely free of noticeable compression issues.

Displayed in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the transfer excels in bringing out colors that feel representative of the era. Vibrant hues such as a red fire engine and a purple dress pop against the generally muted palette of New York City. Moreover, blacks are generally solid, though they do tend to crush in certain scenes, such as when Nick rescues a girl from a burning building—a result more of environmental factors like smoke and water rather than the transfer itself. The whites also stand out brilliantly, nearly reaching a blooming effect, as seen in the ice rink sequence with Nick and Bernadette. The film maintains a clean look with evident film grain and well-resolved fine details, from textures in uniforms to the facades of buildings. Occasional focus softness is attributable to the original shooting methods rather than any deficiencies in the transfer. The video integrity is well-maintained, with no digital artifacts detracting from the overall viewing experience.

Kino’s Blu-ray release of "The January Man" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track, a noticeable deviation from its original Dolby Stereo theatrical release. While the mono track ensures that dialogue remains crisp and intelligible, even during the most boisterous exchanges between actors like Steiger and Aiello, it does compromise the overall richness and spatial quality of the film's audio. The mono configuration results in identical left and right channels, failing to replicate the separation and dynamic range found in the movie’s earlier Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo track from MGM's 2002 DVD release.

Marvin Hamlisch's lively score, which plays a crucial role in tying the film's disparate elements together, suffers considerably in this mono mix. Although the DTS-HD MA encoding is lossless, it pales in comparison to the lossy DD 2.0 stereo soundtrack on the DVD. In stereo playback, the DVD's soundtrack provides a broader, more immersive audio experience with clear separations and enhanced dynamic range. The bass remains limited on Kino’s Blu-ray, and while it adequately avoids defects or wear, it lacks the vibrancy and expansion into the room that characterized the original stereo presentation. Overall, despite the faultless dialogue deliverance and balanced mix of different audio elements, Kino’s Blu-ray audio fails to meet the expected theatrical experience.

The extras on the Blu-Ray of "The January Man" provide a succinct yet insightful look into the film's production and its promotional materials. Although limited, the bonus features include a vintage making-of featurette that incorporates interviews with key cast members and creators, shedding light on what was reportedly a challenging production. Additionally, viewers are treated to the film's original theatrical trailer, encapsulating the movie's unique blend of murder, corruption, and comedy. These elements offer a nostalgic glimpse into how the film was presented to audiences upon its initial release.

Extras included in this disc:

Making-of Featurette: Interviews with principal cast and crew detailing the troubled production.

Original Theatrical Trailer: A promo capturing the film's distinctive tone of murder, corruption, and comedy.

"The January Man" is a peculiar cinematic experience that blends police procedural with character-driven drama. The film, written by acclaimed screenwriter John Patrick Shanley and produced by Norman Jewison, attempts to replicate the offbeat charm of their previous success, "Moonstruck." However, the directorial addition of Pat O'Connor, unaccustomed to American settings, fails to bring necessary cohesion to this star-studded feature. With a cast that includes Kevin Kline, Susan Sarandon, Harvey Keitel, Alan Rickman, and Rod Steiger, the film is brimming with potential yet falls short of its promise. Kevin Kline’s portrayal of Nick Starkey, a fallen detective brought back to unravel a convoluted serial murder case, hints at brilliance but is often lost in chaotic subplots and uneven direction.

Shanley's complex script integrates crime with intricate personal dynamics and big city politics. The film kickstarts with the murder of Alison Hawkins (Faye Grant), and Kline’s Nick Starkey is thrust into the investigation at the behest of Commissioner Frank Starkey (Harvey Keitel), who shares a murky past with his brother. The Starkeys' familial tension, deepened by Nick's enigmatic relationship with Christine (Susan Sarandon)—now Frank’s wife—adds layers to the narrative. Yet, these layers often remain underdeveloped, leaving viewers to speculate on crucial backstories. Moments of oddball humor and character eccentricities, such as Nick’s insistence on culinary experiments and hiring an artist (Alan Rickman) to redecorate his office, try to infuse light-heartedness but rarely hit the mark.

The central mystery surrounding the serial killings should be the plot's anchor but is overshadowed by subplot excess. The climactic chase sequence and Nick’s resourceful deductions momentarily revive viewer interest but are too little too late for many. Despite the skilled ensemble cast's efforts and occasional compelling scenes, "The January Man" ultimately fails to harmonize its diverse elements into a coherent narrative, rendering it a fascinating if flawed cinematic endeavor.

The Blu-ray release of "The January Man" by Kino Lorber is a curious mix of talent and timeliness that unfortunately fails to deliver on its promise. The film, featuring an ensemble cast including Kevin Kline, Susan Sarandon, and Alan Rickman, showcases individual moments of strong performances and intriguing character studies. However, when viewed as a cohesive narrative, it falls short, often feeling disjointed and erratic in its pacing.

Technically, the Blu-ray transfer is underwhelming. The picture quality lacks the crispness and clarity expected from high-definition remastering, with several scenes appearing murky and poorly detailed. The audio track is serviceable but does not enhance the viewer's experience significantly. Extras are sparse, comprising primarily of minimal behind-the-scenes insights which do little to elevate the overall package.

Sifting through the elements, one can see glimpses of what could have been a darkly comedic and gripping thriller. Unfortunately, the combination of a weak script and lackluster technical presentation leaves much to be desired. Fans of the cast might find individual scenes worth watching, but as a whole, the release doesn't fare well.

After the disappointment of "The January Man," Shanley tried his hand at directing his own material, resulting in the underrated "Joe Versus the Volcano," starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. The weak reception prompted Shanley to leave Hollywood and return to his roots as a playwright. Except for several book-to-screen adaptations (including 1995's "Congo"), which he did primarily to earn a living, Shanley did not return to Hollywood until 2006 when he directed his own adaptation of his Pulitzer Prize-winning play, "Doubt." He was still writing eccentric characters, but the craftsmanship was more refined. The Shanley of today would probably not write "The January Man" or would write it so differently that it would be unrecognizable. The film remains a curiosity from an earlier moment in the career of both the writer and many notable actors, worth experiencing for individual scenes but less than the sum of its parts. It's too bad that Kino's Blu-ray presents it so poorly.