Miral Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Miral" is delivered with a 1080p AVC-encoded transfer in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio, highlighting the highly stylized aesthetic choices made by director Julian Schnabel. Utilizing a variety of film stocks and extensive digital post-processing, the transfer meticulously captures the deep blues of night scenes and the sun-drenched ambers of daytime. The level of detail is exceptional, with every nuance vividly rendered—right down to the sandy soil and the rough-hewn sides of buildings on cobblestone streets. Cinematic techniques like long shots effectively situate characters within their landscape, showcasing striking clarity and depth of field. Moreover, close-up shots are equally compelling, particularly in portraying the age transitions of characters through convincing make-up effects on actors like Hiam Abbass and Alexander Siddig.

The transfer's black levels are deep and consistent, free from compression-related artifacts except where intentionally used for subjective points of view. The source print is in excellent condition, featuring light to moderate natural grain that lends a rich, film-like texture. Colors are deliberately over-saturated and appear somewhat unnatural, aligning with the filmmaker's expressionistic vision. Some shots play with focus, resulting in occasional haziness, but this is a deliberate stylistic choice rather than a flaw. Contrast levels are robust and sometimes blown out, further supporting the intended visual style. While some viewers may find the stylization overly harsh, the Blu-ray transfer enhances it beautifully, supported by incredible detail that truly exemplifies the strengths of the high-definition format. The result is an image that is sometimes dazzling and always faithful to the artistic vision of the film.

The audio presentation of "Miral" on Blu-ray is encapsulated in a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, demonstrating an impressive auditory experience for a non-action film. The sound design is strategically immersive, leveraging environmental ambiance effectively, such as the persistent drone of a cuckoo bird in a country scene. It employs rear speaker effects judiciously not just for obvious elements like jet flyovers and passing cars, but also for more subtle moments—e.g., subjective point-of-view shots of rushing waves. The bass extension stands out, particularly in the musical score which includes compositions by Laurie Anderson and Ennio Morricone's score for "The Battle of Algiers". This results in deep, powerful sound reproduction that enriches the overall listening experience.

Dialogue clarity is a key attribute, presenting English conversations clearly and centered though the diverse accents might necessitate the use of English SDH subtitles for some viewers. Notably, large portions of dialogue in Arabic and Hebrew are essential to the plot, which makes selecting English subtitles at the outset crucial due to initial default settings on some players. Ambient effects and musical cues are abundant in the rear channels, creating a fully enveloping auditory landscape that deftly balances subtlety and robustness. The dynamic range is commendable, providing satisfactory differentiation between various frequencies from whispers to louder elements like battle scenes, ensuring everything remains proportionate and compelling.

In summary, "Miral" exhibits a remarkably diverse yet restrained sound design that aligns with the film's artistic direction. The auditory elements are woven with technical precision and creative intent, which may not flex home theater systems as vigorously as action blockbusters, but offer an impressively nuanced and sophisticated experience nonetheless. This adept balance between fidelity, depth, and directionality makes it a notable audio presentation well worth experiencing.

The extras on the "Miral" Blu-Ray provide a comprehensive look behind the scenes and into the minds of its creators. The collection features a range of supplements presented in standard definition with English Dolby Digital sound and optional English SDH subtitles. Leading the list is the commentary by Director Julian Schnabel and Producer Jon Kilik, which, although a bit dry at times, offers anecdotal insights into the film's creation and poignant discussions about its historical and thematic roots. Also included are engaging deleted scenes that, although brief, add context to the film's narrative. A notable highlight is the "Making of Miral" featurette, which provides an informative yet concise view of the production, as well as the fascinating resemblance between actress Freida Pinto and the real-life inspiration for her character. The extras aim to deepen appreciation, despite all content being constrained to standard-definition quality.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Director Julian Schnabel and Producer Jon Kilik: Detailed yet occasionally silent discussion providing insights into the film's real-life background.
• Deleted Scenes: Three scenes offering additional narrative context.
• The Making of Miral: A behind-the-scenes documentary with interviews and on-location footage.
• Julian Schnabel Studio Tour: Director-led tour revealing the art studio and paintings tied to the film’s inspiration.
• Filmmaker Q&A: Recorded panel discussion featuring Schnabel, Jebreal, and others discussing the film post-screening.

Julian Schnabel’s 'Miral' is a poignant, though structurally uneven, exploration of the lives of three Palestinian women from 1947-1993. The film, adapted from Rula Jebreal's semi-autobiographical novel, has faced misrepresentation and controversy. Contrary to its provocative marketing campaign, which wrongly suggested connections to terrorism, 'Miral' genuinely seeks to offer an empathetic portrayal of personal stories set against the backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The narrative opens in 1947 with Hind Husseini (Hiam Abbass), who founds the Dar Al-Tifl school in Jerusalem after encountering orphans from the Deir Yassin massacre. The film meticulously showcases Hind’s efforts to maintain the school's independence amid political turmoil, featuring significant characters like an American military officer, Eddie (Willem Dafoe), and a peaceful local sheik (Juliano Mer-Khamis). The story then introduces Nadia (Yasmine Elmasri), Miral’s mother, whose traumatic experiences lead to her incarceration and eventual marriage to Jamal (Alexander Siddig). Their daughter Miral (Freida Pinto) grows up amid escalating violence, exploring different facets of her identity and societal roles.

Schnabel employs a heavily stylized approach with shaky handheld cameras, POV shots, and actual archive footage, lending the film an intimate yet sometimes disorienting feel. The over-saturated colors are visually striking but occasionally overwhelming. Despite its potential for bias allegations due to a scene depicting Miral’s torture by Israeli soldiers, the film strives for a balanced narrative, highlighting kindness and brutality across all sides. Ultimately, 'Miral' focuses on personal growth and peace amidst conflict, characterized by strong performances, particularly by Pinto and Siddig, though it suffers from underdeveloped subplots and rushed transitions between characters and timelines.

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Julian Schnabel’s "Miral" courageously delves into the fraught and intricate complexities of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict from a perspective rarely showcased in mainstream media. The film doesn’t aspire to provide a comprehensive historical narrative but rather immerses the audience in powerful, personal experiences that are both vivid and compelling. Schnabel’s direction, paired with the nuanced performances of the cast, brings forth a thought-provoking narrative that, despite some structural and directorial missteps, sparks important conversations about a highly sensitive subject. The themes explored in "Miral" circumvent partisan talking points, presenting a multifaceted view of human realities that evade simplistic categorizations.

The Blu-ray release of "Miral" stands out with its impressive video and audio quality. The visual presentation is marked by crisp detail and vibrant colors that enhance the film’s emotional undertones. The audio mix complements the visual integrity with clear, well-balanced soundscapes that draw viewers further into the narrative’s depth. Additionally, the Blu-ray offers a suite of supplementary features that provide further context and enrich the viewing experience. While these extras may not be exhaustive, they contribute valuable insights and enhance the viewer’s engagement with the film’s subject matter.

In conclusion, "Miral" doesn't purport to be a history of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict any more than Huckleberry Finn purports to be a history of ante-bellum America. But the experiences it conveys are vivid, powerful and cannot be denied. Maybe that's why certain parties so dislike the film. Complex human realities such as those embodied by well-wrought narrative fiction undermine the either/or talking points of partisans, who, no matter what their persuasion, have never been especially friendly to artistic pursuits. Ignore the posturing and experience "Miral" for yourself. Both the film and the Blu-ray are highly recommended.