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Fresh: Imprint Collection #330
[Blu-ray]
Blu-ray ALL - Australia - Via Vision Review written by and copyright: Noor Razzak (4th August 2024). |
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The Film
 Directed by Boaz Yakin, "Fresh" is a gripping urban drama that delves into the harsh realities of life in the inner city through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy named Michael, nicknamed Fresh. The film stands out for its unflinching portrayal of the challenges faced by its young protagonist, and it offers a raw, compelling narrative that highlights the intersection of youth, violence, survival, and is one of the best films of the 90's. Set in the gritty streets of Brooklyn, the film centers on Fresh, played with remarkable depth by Sean Nelson. Fresh is a quiet, intelligent boy who navigates a treacherous world of drug dealers and violence with a wisdom beyond his years. The stark contrast between his innocence and the brutality around him creates a poignant and powerful narrative. Nelson’s performance is a cornerstone of the film; his ability to convey a complex mix of vulnerability, resilience, and cunning makes Fresh a character that resonates deeply with viewers. Boaz Yakin’s direction is both thoughtful and incisive. He captures the bleakness of Fresh’s environment without resorting to sensationalism, instead presenting a world that feels painfully real. The cinematography by Adam Holender complements Yakin’s vision, using a muted color palette to underscore the oppressive atmosphere of the inner city. The camera work is often intimate, bringing the audience close to Fresh’s experiences and emotions. The screenplay, also written by Yakin, is tightly woven, balancing moments of tension with quieter, character-driven scenes. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, reflecting the harsh realities of the characters’ lives. One of the film’s strengths is its ability to depict the complexity of its characters, avoiding one-dimensional portrayals. Fresh’s interactions with his father Sam (Samuel L. Jackson), a chess-playing alcoholic, add layers to the story, highlighting the fractured but profound bond between them. Jackson’s performance is another highlight, bringing a mix of gravitas and vulnerability to his role. "Fresh" also excels in its thematic depth. The film uses chess as a central metaphor, drawing parallels between the strategic thinking required in the game and Fresh’s approach to navigating his dangerous world. This motif underscores the theme of survival, as Fresh learns to outmaneuver those who seek to exploit or harm him. The chess metaphor is not merely a gimmick but is intricately tied to the narrative and character development, enriching the film’s exploration of intelligence and agency in the face of adversity. However, the film is not without its flaws. At times, the pacing can be uneven, with certain scenes feeling somewhat drawn out. Additionally, while the film’s gritty realism is one of its strengths, it may be difficult for some viewers to engage with the relentless bleakness of the story. The portrayal of violence, though integral to the narrative, can be intense and unsettling. Overall, "Fresh" is a powerful and thought-provoking film that offers a poignant look at the struggles of growing up in an environment plagued by violence and poverty. Its strong performances, particularly by Sean Nelson and Samuel L. Jackson, combined with Boaz Yakin’s deft direction and insightful screenplay, make it a standout in the genre of urban drama. "Fresh" is a film that challenges its audience, offering no easy answers but instead presenting a raw and unvarnished portrayal of resilience and survival.
Video
Presented in widescreen ratio of 1.78:1 this HD transfer comes with a 1080p 24/fps image mastered in AVC MPEG-4 compression. Shot on film in 35mm the transfer accurately portrays the look of the film as intended by the filmmakers. Colors are muted, sharpness looks good, black are nice and deep, there's film grain and texture to be found here. Overall I'm pleased with this image.
Audio
A single English LPCM 2.0 stereo track is included, while it would have been nice to have a 5.1 surround track, this stereo option does the trick fairly well with clean and clear dialogue, stereo activity it present which helps add some depth to the soundtrack. Optional english subtitles are also included in English for the hearing impaired.
Extras
Imprint has included a series of archival supplements as well as a few new ones. Below is a closer look at these extras. First up is the feature-length audio commentary by writer/director Boaz Yakin, recorded back in 2002, Yakin comments on how the project materialized, on connecting with producer Lawrence Bender and backing the young screenwriter to fund and produce his first feature as director. He comments on the filmmaking process, working with the cast, creating and crafting introspective performances among other things. This is a great track that offers up a lot of background about the film and worth exploring. "The Rookie: Director Boaz Yakin on Creating a Timeless First Film" 2024 interview (22:59), this is a brand new feature where the director comments on making his first film and the challenges faced as he reminisces about the production. "Fresh on Fresh: Actor Sean Nelson on the Prodigy He Played" 2024 interview (13:57), Nelson reflects on his role, the many auditions he had to do, and how it impacted his career. "Framing Fresh with Cinematographer Adam Holender" 2024 interview (13:10) the veteran cinematographer talks us through the visual style of the film and on working with a first time director. "Fresh Sounds: Composer Stewart Copeland on the Unconventional Score of Fresh" 2024 interview (16:18), the composer takes us through the process of creating the score for the film and the inspirations behind it. "One Foot in the Practical, One Foot in the Poetic: Lawrence Bender on the Producer’s Role" 2024 interview (16:25), Bender comments on working with Yakin, on how the film came to be, and on backing a new filmmaker to create a impressive urban drama that would become one of the best films of the 90's. 1994 Interview with Samuel L. Jackson (6:30) this archival clip has the actor talking about his role and the approach he took to play the character. 1994 Interview with Giancarlo Esposito (5:58) the actor talks about playing a drug dealer and working with the young cast. 1994 Interview with Sean Nelson and N’Bushe Wright (6:28), the two young cast members of the film talk about the audition process, the preparation undertaken to play the roles, working with acting coaches among other things. "Behind-the-Scenes" 1994 Featurette (2:16) is the typical EPK piece. Storyboard-to-Film Comparisons (19:36) compares the storyboards to the final film in a split screen. Seven scenes are included here. Cast Audition Tapes (33:13), seven audition tapes are included here. A Gag Reel (4:57), line flubs, goofs, etc. The usual type of reel. Finally the film's original theatrical trailer (2:23) rounds out the supplements.
Packaging
This is a limited edition of 1500 copies and includes a slip-case.
Overall
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