Synchronicity is the unifying force among the five separate threads.
Synchronicity is the unifying force among the five separate threads. Jarmusch bridges each story by showing a bank of clocks set to the time in each of the cities; the clocks rewind to indicate the stories all take place simultaneously. Since the stories never intersect, the "we´re all the same" theme doesn´t become too cloying. Besides, one of the most interesting qualities of the film is the way each city looks different at nighttime: Rome is dark and foreboding, Helsinki is awash in dull gray light. Frederick Elmes, a frequent Jarmusch collaborator, captures the essential qualities of each city with an economy of exterior shots. He also accomplishes a minor miracle by maintaining a fresh, energetic look while filming five lengthy conversations in the cramped space of a taxi cab.
"Night on Earth" might feel a bit gimmicky to viewers not used to seeing the short form married to the feature film. But with clever writing, charming performances across the board, and an opening/closing song by Tom Waits, the film is still a winning effort.
Video
The film is presented in its original 1.78:1 aspect ratio. It´s hard to call a film shot entirely at night in low-key lighting razor sharp and it´s even harder to evaluate the color saturation, but this transfer still looks fabulous. I have seen "Night on Earth" in the theater before, and this Criterion release more than does it justice.
Audio
The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Stereo. Optional English subtitles support the audio which is in several languages.
Extras
A "selected-scene" commentary by Frederick Elmes and sound mixer Drew Kunin covers a little more than half of the film. The rather large Q&A section (58 min. total) is an audio only feature in which Jarmusch answers questions e-mailed by viewers across the glove: you can play them all, or access questions from each user/location. "Alice: Magazine Européen" is a 6-minute interview with Jarmusch which originally aired on Belgian TV on June 4, 1992. The insert booklet features essays on each of the film´s segments.
Film Value
"Night on Earth" is not one of Jim Jarmusch´s best films, but it goes down easy like a hot chocolate on a cold winter night. Jarmusch writes scripts for specific actors, and his generosity and patience with his cast invariably produces superb performances. Splendid turns by actors like Giancarlo Esposito, Roberto Benigni and Matti Pellonpää (among others) make "Night on Earth" a pleasure to watch.
"Night on Earth" might feel a bit gimmicky to viewers not used to seeing the short form married to the feature film. But with clever writing, charming performances across the board, and an opening/closing song by Tom Waits, the film is still a winning effort.
Video
The film is presented in its original 1.78:1 aspect ratio. It´s hard to call a film shot entirely at night in low-key lighting razor sharp and it´s even harder to evaluate the color saturation, but this transfer still looks fabulous. I have seen "Night on Earth" in the theater before, and this Criterion release more than does it justice.
Audio
The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Stereo. Optional English subtitles support the audio which is in several languages.
Extras
A "selected-scene" commentary by Frederick Elmes and sound mixer Drew Kunin covers a little more than half of the film. The rather large Q&A section (58 min. total) is an audio only feature in which Jarmusch answers questions e-mailed by viewers across the glove: you can play them all, or access questions from each user/location. "Alice: Magazine Européen" is a 6-minute interview with Jarmusch which originally aired on Belgian TV on June 4, 1992. The insert booklet features essays on each of the film´s segments.
Film Value
"Night on Earth" is not one of Jim Jarmusch´s best films, but it goes down easy like a hot chocolate on a cold winter night. Jarmusch writes scripts for specific actors, and his generosity and patience with his cast invariably produces superb performances. Splendid turns by actors like Giancarlo Esposito, Roberto Benigni and Matti Pellonpää (among others) make "Night on Earth" a pleasure to watch.
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