The Return of Ruben Blades Blu-ray Review
Michael A. Smith
November 10th, 2016
Though I knew that he was a musician I had always known Ruben Blades as an actor. From his early work in THE MILAGRO BEANFIELD WAR, THE TWO JAKES and PREDATOR 2 through the present days FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, he has carved a long and diverse career on screen. So when I first received this disc I was puzzled. Where in the hell did Ruben Blades go? It was only when I watched it that I learned that this film was made in 1985 by a filmmaking group in his native Panama. At the time, his film career was just beginning and he had returned to his native land to work on some new music, which is presented during live concerts filmed for the production.
The film begins with Blades receiving his diploma in International Law from Harvard University. We then follow him back to his native Panama, where we learn a few things about him. He received a law degree in 1974 in Panama and went to work for the national bank. While he enjoyed the work, he desired to be a musician and left the safety and security of his job for a shot at his dream. He arrived in New York with $100 in his pocket and slowly helped create the next phase in Latin music. THE RETURN OF RUBEN BLADES is about the return of Blades to the country that inspired him to seek out a career in which his voice could, literally, be heard.
While there we travel with Blades to the original part of Panama City, where his parents still live. It is amazing to see how he is revered by his countrymen. Even a walk around the neighborhood with his father brings out young children, following respectfully behind but asking for autographs, which he graciously signs. The film also catches Blades in the studio, where he works on a duet with Linda Ronstadt, who talks about her Hispanic heritage and vows to one day make an album of the songs she grew up with. She kept this promise two years later when she released “Songs of My Father” which, still today, is the largest selling non-English language album in America.
If you are a fan of Blades music, or just that style of music in general, this film is a must for you. Blades performs seven songs here and they are all regarded as some of his best. As someone that was familiar with the genre but not with Blades I found them quite enjoyable. Since the film was released, Blades has gone on to stardom both at home and in Hollywood, ran for the presidency of Panama in 1994 – he came in third with a resounding 18% of the vote – and served as the country’s Minister of Tourism from 2004 through 2009. It seems that he’s had an even more impressive life away from the spotlight. Perhaps it’s time to make another film about his return, even if it appears that he’s never left.
BLU-RAY REVIEW
Video: The film is presented in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio and, considering the fact that the original project was done on 16mm it has transferred well.
Audio: The soundtrack is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo and is clear and clean.
There are no extras on this disc.
