DVD Review: My Blueberry Nights

Wong Kar Wai is a director that I have wanted to see more films from. So far, my experience has been rather limited. Well, to be fair, my Wong Kar Wai experience has been essentially non-existent. Many years ago I watched Chung King Express, although I only watched part of it, so that doesn't really count. Why? I don't have a good answer for that, most likely it was a movie I was not ready to invest myself in. I should go back to it. The other film I have seen, the whole thing this time, was 2046. That was a film I found intriguing but must admit, I did not get at the time, I need to revisit it. This time around we have My Blueberry Nights, Wong Kar Wai's English language debut where his unique take on romance and character suffers a bit in the translation, yet still is a strangely compelling film.

While, yes, I found My Blueberry Nights to be a compelling film, it was also a frustrating one. I found the plot, of which there is little, to be a bit too meandering. I can see what Wong Kar Wai was getting at, but I found it to be a little too obtuse to have as much of an impact. On a more technical note, there are a few odd cuts that caught my eye. Beyond that I just did not care for the use of slow motion, which looked more like stills being flipped. That isn't completely accurate, but when you see the film you will see what I mean. It is a stylistic choice that I found jarring, with the cinematography and the overall look of the film I would have preferred a more traditional looking slow motion, or even just a slow camera move.

My Blueberry Nights centers on Elizabeth, a young woman played by Norah Jones in her big screen debut. She is a woman with a broken heart. She happens into a diner looking for her boyfriend, only to learn that she is being cheated on. With the wounds fresh on her soul, she strikes up a friendship with the man behind the counter of the diner, Jeremy (Jude Law). They bond over blueberry pie, which has inexplicably not been touched throughout the day, or any day for that matter. They discuss such mundane topics as untouched pies and why they are made; however, they also discuss a jar of keys that Jeremy keeps behind the diner counter, how they came to be there, why they stay there, and why Jeremy chooses to keep them.

Their paths diverge as Elizabeth leaves New York City behind with no set destination other than away from the genesis of her broken heart. Jeremy, meanwhile, remains behind, perpetually manning the counter and wondering if he will ever see her again. Despite their odd relationship, the two made a definite connection.

Elizabeth makes her way to Memphis, where she finds work as a waitress and bartender. Here she meets a sad man (David Strathairn) who seeks to mend a broken heart with nights of drinking. While here she also meets his estranged wife (Rachel Weisz). This dysfunctional couple gives young Elizabeth (called Lizzie now) an added perspective on relationships.

Before long, she moves on to a town somewhere between Memphis and Las Vegas, waitressing at a casino. Her reasons for taking these jobs? Save up for a car, of course, but I think that was just something to say. Anyway, here her path crosses with that of Leslie (Natalie Portman), a compulsive gambler who makes a deal with Elizabeth (now going by Beth) that could help her get that car she wants. Leslie gives Beth yet another outlook on people and their level of trustworthiness.

All of these experiences teach her something about herself, where she is going and what she is looking for. Her reasons for being is to discover herself apart from her failed relationship. Does she ultimately determine who she is and where she needs to be? Is there ever any doubt?

My Blueberry Nights is a film that is at times achingly romantic and at other times rather dull. As the movie goes, so does Norah Jones. I would not call her performance great, but there is something sweet and innocent about her that just draws you. The problem is that it is inconsistent. There are times when I was haunted by her performance, while other times I was dumbfounded by her lack of emotion. Still, it is a promising debut.

On a technical level, the film is beautiful, despite my issues with the slow motion style. Wong Kar Wai's use of color and the interesting choice of angles takes the film to another level. Watching My Blueberry Nights is like being taken inside a dream, there is a surreal look as the camera takes you around these characters. I must say that it went a long way to drawing me in, especially during the lags in the narrative.

Overall, I have to admit to liking the film. I do feel that something is lost in the translation; there is a definite aura of the Asian art house with Wong Kar Wai's style that feels a bit strained with the English-speaking cast. Still, when it comes right down to it, this movie is all about atmosphere and attempts to speak on an emotional level rather than a visceral one, one that goes to the heart and not the brain, hence the tonal flow as opposed to a narrative one.

Audio/Video. The video has a nice look to it, it is not completely sharp, but I believe that to be by design. The colors are oversaturated giving the film a dreamlike state, which I believe matches with the theatrical purpose of the film. Audio is crisp, clear, and generally solid. Overall this is a nice looking disk.

Extras. The disk has a couple of extras to call its own.

• Making of My Blueberry Nights. Interviews with Wong Kar Wai, Norah Jones, and Jude Law that get inside the film. It is an interesting inclusion that is well worth you time. (16 minutes)
• Q&A with Director Wong Kar Wai. This interview was done with an audience at the Museum of the Moving Image. It is interesting in how it goes into Wong Kar Wai's film making approach. (18.5 minutes)
• Still Gallery. There are two galleries, one is for location scouting photos and the other is for production and publicity stills.
• Theatrical Trailer. The original big screen trailer.

Bottomline. Not quite what I hoped, not exactly what I wanted, not as good as I desired, but likeable nonetheless. This is an interesting movie that is unlike your typical Hollywood romances, for that alone it is worth watching. It is also worth watching for the unique choices made by Wong Kar Wai and the semi-impressive debut of Norah Jones.

Mildly Recommended.