Together
Picture: B Sound: B Extras: D Film: B
Most American audiences
will recognize the work of Director Kaige Chen from his 2002 film Killing Me Softly starring Heather
Graham and Joseph Fiennes, but the director has been making passionate films in
China since the 1980’s and his 2002 film Together
is no exception. In fact this might be
one of his most sincere yet.
Together
brings hope back to a country that has been looking for that for centuries as a
young violin prodigy and his father travel to Beijing so that he can audition
for the music academy. For many students
this is a dream because their mediocre life can only change if they possess
some talent or gift. The film takes place when the society was still enriched
with the ideas and ideals that only the wealthy can remain so, which means that
if you are born poor you will most likely die poor. Part of this has to do with the Religious
affiliations as well of China. So the
young boy and his father are hoping to better their lives by the boy’s talents
as a violinist. Immediately one might
think back to the film Red Violin, a
heavy under appreciated film from 1999.
Together
is not a flawless film and it does have its moments of sediment, but at the
same time it is enjoyable and entertaining.
The film is very visual as well, which shows through on the DVD format
as the film is presented in its original 1.85 X 1 transfer with anamorphic
enhancement. Colors look good, detail is
nice, and the depth is also rendered well.
Edge enhancement can be noticed from time to time and there are a few
scenes where detail can get slightly smudged.
Even colors such as flesh tones become runny. The film has a great look to it with a
naturalistic design.
The 5.1 Dolby Digital AC-3
audio track is fair, but given that this is a very musically oriented film it
would have been nice to go with DTS as an alternative. M-G-M rarely does DTS for DVD, with Hannibal and Die
Another Day being the only two releases at this point, which contain both
Dolby and DTS. The film has no
supplements, which makes for a slightly disappointing release for those that
enjoyed the film.
It is always great to see
different interpretations of music being portrayed in film outside of The
Musical. From comedies like School or Rock to Mr. Holland’s Opus or even La
Bamba it is obvious that music touches people in unique ways and film can
capture that very effectively. Together is yet another approach and is
a delightful film that can be enjoyed by the entire family, especially for
those that like movies that lift the spirit.
Only those that are not into the slightly bittersweet mode will be
turned off by the films overkill.
- Nate Goss
