Before the Rain
August 2008 Reviewed by: Rad Bennett Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

This riveting movie examines the intertwining lives of several interesting characters at the time of the newly born Macedonia, when violence could erupt at the drop of a hat. It is similar, then, to Crash and Babel, though far superior to either. Odd though it might sound on the surface, its non-linear structure is most easily compared to that of Pulp Fiction, which also premiered in 1994, though the content is totally different.

Each segment is titled. In "Words" we meet a Macedonian monk who has taken a vow of silence. He harbors an escaped girl who is fleeing from the wrath of members of her village, and both he and the young woman suffer tragic consequences. In "Faces," a photo editor (Anne Cartlidge) suddenly finds out that she is pregnant and must decide whether to accompany her photographer lover, Aleksandar (Hade Šerbedžija), back to Macedonia, or stay with her husband and face the consequences. "Pictures" follows Aleksandar’s grim return to Macedonia.

Each new segment comments on the one before without preaching or manipulating, the script never straying far from its course to prove a point. The actions of the characters show us what is going on by example. The overall tone of the movie is violent as if to say that all over the world, human hatred and intolerance simmer until they reach the boiling point and erupt in needless, useless, and tragic ways. Aleksandar is the most interesting character in the film, and is played by Hade Šerbedžija with subtly, wit, and compassion. When he is on camera, he always commands attention but not by being loud or demanding that attention, rather by deserving it.

Criterion has once again produced a flawless DVD version of an excellent movie. Before the Rain was beautifully photographed by Manuel Teran. It is one of those movies where even violent and gritty action looks exceptional, call them violent Kodak moments and you will get the idea. The video transfer is perfect. As we enter the Blu-ray era, Before the Rain will stand out in my memory as the best that DVD could offer. Contrast is ideal. There are many scenes in the first segment that are lit by moonlight, and the shadow detail in these scenes is as remarkable as the vivid colors are in other scenes. The sound is robust and full and manages to give us a memorable dose of the superb soundtrack music without sacrificing dialogue. The movie is in Macedonian, Albanian, and English. The latter is found mostly in the second segment, which is set in London. The rest is subtitled in words that are easy to read.

The extras are perhaps a bit slim in terms of Criterion extras, but they are all pertinent to one’s enjoyment of the movie. There’s a particularly good interview with Šerbedžija and unusually good on-the-set production featurettes. The commentary by director Milcho Manchevski and scholar Annette Insdorf is relaxed and informative. The soundtrack music by Anastasia can be heard without dialogue, and it proves well worth a listen. Manchevski has made a living, in part, by directing music videos and one of these, the award-winning Tennessee, is included here. All in all, a most satisfactory presentation of a very entertaining and thought-provoking film.

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