‘A Poet’ Blu-Ray Review – Squirm-Inducing Colombian Comedy Is A Recent Highlight

Middle-aged and erratic, Oscar is a failed writer who has given up on life. Unemployed and living with family, he wanders the streets of Medellín in a drunken stupor, lamenting the state of literature in his home country, where he has succumbed to the cliché of the tortured artist. However, the opportunity to mentor a young student offers a chance at redemption, if he doesn’t screw it up first. In a performance marked by darkly comic pathos, first-time actor Ubeimar Rios stars in Simón Mesa Soto’s Un Certain Regard Jury Prize-winner A Poet, a raw and riotous farce about how good deeds are often met with the universe’s idea of cruel and unusually poetic punishment.

For in-depth thoughts on A Poet, please see my colleague Phoenix Clouden’s review from its original theatrical release here. 

Video Quality

A Poet makes its Blu-Ray debut with a triumphant 1080p video presentation in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio that captures the gritty Super 16mm cinematography appropriately. The natural color palette saturates the screen with the complex colors found in the locales, whether you are traversing urban areas or within a private residence. The image is textured with prominent grain but is primarily free of print damage outside of the occasional speck. The authentic production design and shooting locations provide exceptional textural details. The presentation shows off a valuable amount of depth in the multitude of environments. Black levels avoid most instances of banding as they maintain their depth. The flesh tones are natural with plentiful detail present in close-ups. This Blu-Ray is a first-rate representation of this movie at home. 

Audio Quality

1-2 Special gives this Blu-Ray a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track in the original Spanish (with optional English subtitles) that renders all of the distinct facets of the mix with an assured hand. Dialogue comes through clearly without being crowded out by any parallel elements. The film has a frenzied energy that adds some nice texture to the proceedings. The soundtrack and music are favorably balanced while maintaining their fidelity. Environmental sounds perk up the surround speakers in notable ways. When the characters are moving from place to place, a cavalcade of distinct ambient details fleshes out the setting. The track brings this journey to life exactly as intended. You could not ask for better for this feature. 

Special Features

• Audio Commentary: Director Simón Mesa Soto provides a commentary track moderated by Justin LaLiberty in which he discusses his inspiration for telling this story, how he brought realism to the picture through casting, the structure of the film, the location shooting, and more. 

• Booklet: A multi-page booklet is provided featuring an essay by film critic Siddhant Adlakha that examines the film from multiple angles. 

Final Thoughts

A Poet is a sharp, often hilarious satire that deftly balances the awkward humor with nearly unbearable self-destructive tendencies that make you squirm in your seat. The direction of Simón Mesa Soto is confident and insightful, as you learn so much about each character without the film holding your hand. The central performance from Ubeimar Rios brings a vital naturalism to the role that aids the film consistently. The film lets off the gas a bit in the second half, but it remains a highlight from recent memory. 1-2 Special has released a Blu-Ray featuring a strong A/V presentation and a wonderful commentary track. Don’t let this one slip by you. Recommended 

A Poet is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: 1-2 Special and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.