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Minding The Gap Criterion Blu-ray Review

“Minding The Gap” is an emotional documentary.

Despite what you may have seen or heard, “Minding The Gap” is not a documentary about skateboarding. Yes, skateboarding is a part of it as it is what brought the 3 friends (Bing, Keire and Zack) together (and is one of their passions), but it’s not the focus. The focus is on Rockford, Illinois citizens Bing, Keire, and Zack as they traverse adulthood. Bing is all in on filmmaking, but is having to confront his dark past. Keire is coping with the loss of his father as he looks towards future goals. Zack finds himself becoming a roofer, a father and a boyfriend to Nina, but his toxic behaviors threaten his relationships.

The Oscar nominated “Minding The Gap” is a deeply personal coming-of-age documentary that has so much to say over a scant 93 minutes. As Bing Liu turns the camera on himself and his friends, he tackles many subjects about friendship, dreams, race, priviledge, abuse, pain, toxicity, poverty, class, masculinity and homelife affecting your life. It’s very much about life and all its ups and downs. It’s simultaneously heartfelt and heartbreaking as these broken young men try to move on with their lives all while finding comfort, solace, and escape in skateboarding.

Another aspect of ‘Gap’ that caught my eye is how it feels like a portrait of now. So many people across the country feel trapped by where they are and are hoping to make a change. As Bing himself shows, it’s possible to break free and follow your dreams. It’s a very inspiring movie in that way even though it deals with many dark subjects. Even in that regard though, ‘Gap’ shows us that we can heal from our wounds.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.78:1 1080p. How does it look? The documentary shines in hi-def although some archival footage obviously doesn’t fare as well visually.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? Expect a clean new 5.1 track.

Extras:
* A booklet with photos, credits, and an essay by writer Jay Caspian King.
* “Minding The Gap” trailer
* 4 deleted scenes/outtakes with intros by Bing Liu.
* A 2010 short film by Bing Liu about 2 Vietnamese immigrants
* A newly recorded interview with Tony Hawk about “Minding The Gap.”
* A conversation between Bing Liu and Nina Bowgren from 2020.
* “A Very Tricky Balance”- 33 minutes of separate interviews with Bing Liu and producers Gordon Quinn and Diane Quon. Discussions range from scenes to editing.
* 2 commentary tracks. One solo one by Bing Liu and the other with Bing Liu, Zack Mulligan and Keire Johnson which provides memories, contexts to scenes, and tidbits about their lives.

January 5, 2021 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Criterion Collection, documentary, Minding The Gap Criterion Blu-ray Review, Skateboarding