Heart of Midnight Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Heart of Midnight" features a 1.85:1 AVC encoded image that leverages an intense color palette, bringing out primary colors—especially reds and blues—with notable effectiveness. The transfer, supplied by Fox/MGM and handled by Kino, displays a pronounced grain structure, an attribute that enhances the authentic filmic impression. While detail levels are consistently crisp, the film’s inherently soft focus and dream-like haziness maintain a delicate balance. Skintones are natural though occasionally leaning slightly towards pinks. The club scenes, with their macabre ornamentation, retain rich textures in close-ups, contributing to the depth of the image.

In terms of contrast and black levels, the transfer excels with richly inky blacks that enhance scene depth. However, some viewers may notice occasional crush in darker scenes and a slight bloom effect where whites can appear prominently from shot to shot. This may seem like a flaw to some, but it also adds to the movie’s surreal ambiance. Importantly, evening and low-lit sequences are managed well with comfortable delineation, avoiding the common pitfall of slipping into impenetrable darkness. Film artifacts such as mild scratches, speckling, and periodic judder are present but minimally intrusive, contributing to the authentic cinematic feel of this deep catalogue release. Overall, this transfer offers a robust and visually engaging experience that stays true to the film’s original aesthetic parameters.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 sound mix for "Heart of Midnight" is meticulously designed to enhance the film’s mysterious atmosphere. Yanni's dynamic score, rich in heavy synth compositions, lays a robust foundation, effectively blending into the narrative without overshadowing dialogue or action sequences. The audio mix skillfully renders a range of dialogues, capturing various emotional intensities without succumbing to distortion. Notable is the substantial inclusion of nightclub atmospherics, which provides a welcome depth and a vibrant group dynamic.

Essential auditory nuances are adeptly highlighted in this mix, crucially contributing to the movie's storytelling. The nightmarish score, although somewhat reminiscent of Goblin’s work on 'Suspiria,' retains a unique vitality and presence throughout the film. Dialogue clarity is consistently maintained, ensuring ease of comprehension amidst the diverse sound effects. Despite imaging remaining relatively flat due to the confined set design, moments of directionality impeccably punctuate Carol’s experiences of strange sounds and her descent into psychological turmoil. While it may not be the best audio track ever featured on Blu-ray, its fitting execution for this film makes it an integral component of the overall viewing experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Heart of Midnight" offers a commendable array of extras that enrich the viewing experience. The highlights include an engaging audio commentary with writer/director Matthew Chapman and actor Peter Coyote, providing insightful background information on the production. Chapman's recent viewing of the film ensures a more active participation as Coyote provides historical context despite not having seen it in years. Additionally, the disc includes high-definition trailers which are expertly crafted; they competently set up the movies while maintaining intrigue without revealing too much.

Extras included on this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Writer and director Matthew Chapman and actor Peter Coyote.
• Heart of Midnight Trailer: A solid HD trailer that sets up the film well.
• Rush Trailer: An excellent early 90s movie marketing piece narrated by Optimus Prime.

"Heart of Midnight" (1988), directed and written by Matthew Chapman, sets its psychological thriller within a disturbing, surreal atmosphere that aspires to evoke the unsettling essence of David Lynch. The narrative centers on Carol (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a woman with a history of mental illness recuperating from a nervous breakdown. After inheriting The Midnight, a nightclub with a sordid past, Carol's tenure is marked by eerie hallucinations and disturbing discoveries, spiraling into paranoia and fear. The building, an old sex club, holds secrets in its themed rooms that trigger Carol's delusions and real threats from local thugs.

Chapman's ambition to merge surrealist vision with a complex psychological narrative is palpable; however, execution falters due to incoherent storytelling. While the film boasts visually abstract and symbolic cinematography replete with stylish lighting and provocative imagery—invading eyes, rotting fruit, and symbolic apples—the cohesion rushes between tonal shifts and unearned character arcs. Carol's interactions with Detective Sharpe (Peter Coyote) and her stumbling attempts at reclaiming her sanity are undermined by erratic plotting and insufficient character development. Despite an attempt to address themes of sexual trauma and the blurring of reality, the focus on visual flair detracts from narrative clarity.

Jennifer Jason Leigh's performance is noteworthy, navigating Carol's fragile psyche with conviction. Leigh's presence imbues the character with a balance of vulnerability and tenacity as she endures physical and psychological assaults. Yet, Peter Coyote's detective role lacks chemistry with Leigh, despite his efforts to manifest a layered character. "Heart of Midnight" struggles to deliver consistent suspense or provide satisfying resolutions to its myriad plot threads. The Blu-ray release allows for reevaluation, perhaps garnering appreciation for its audacity and creative risks, but it remains a polarizing piece within the psychological thriller genre.

“Heart of Midnight” offers a compelling though uneven dive into psychological suspense. The film's strength lies in its unique narrative and strong performances, especially from the leads, which together enhance its vintage appeal. Despite some lapses into conventional thriller tropes, Barry Chapman's direction holds firm, creating a haunting atmosphere that taps into the surreal and the unsettling. The transition from enigmatic storytelling to more predictable narrative turns in the final act may dilute the overall impact, but it still manages to provide closure that viewers might find satisfying.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "Heart of Midnight" is the definitive home video version. The transfer is impeccable, preserving Chapman's vivid color schemes and noir-inspired lighting with precision. The 2.0 stereo audio track offers a well-balanced mix of Yanni's haunting score, clear dialogue, and intentionally jarring sound effects, enhancing the film's dense auditory landscape. However, the Blu-ray’s supplementary material is somewhat underwhelming, with a commentary track that fails to provide deep insights or engaging content. Nonetheless, the quality of the main feature compensates for this shortfall, maintaining the film's mysterious allure better left unexplained.

In conclusion, while "Heart of Midnight" may not be the quintessential psychological thriller of its decade, it remains a noteworthy piece that merits appreciation. The film’s eerie charm and solid Blu-ray presentation make it a worthy addition to any collection. Although Chapman’s choice to resolve the story with conventional answers may frustrate some, this Blu-ray edition ensures that “Heart of Midnight” will provoke and entertain audiences who value unconventional cinematic experiences.