Love in the Afternoon Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Love in the Afternoon" on Blu-ray is a visual treat, courtesy of Warner Archive Collection. Shot by the esteemed cinematographer William C. Mellor, this 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer is sourced from a fine-grain master positive, recently scanned at 2K. The results are exceptional. The image boasts rich black levels, crisp whites, and finely varied shades of gray, which together create an impressive sense of depth. Mellor's romantic lighting is preserved beautifully, offering a subtle yet notable texture to the entire film. The well-resolved grain pattern enriches the film's authentic Parisian backdrop while maintaining Warner Archive’s high bitrate standard of 34.99 Mbps.

The stark contrast and strong clarity of this remaster reveal intricate details, especially in close-ups. Hepburn's youthful beauty shines through with stunning precision, whereas Cooper’s advanced age is more pronounced in his detailed features, such as the baggy eyes and wrinkles. Silhouettes, a characteristic feature of Mellor's cinematography, are strikingly rendered, and exterior scenes of Paris exhibit a genuine and immersive look. Despite minor specks appearing sporadically, the absence of digital anomalies or artificial enhancements ensures a pure viewing experience.

Ultimately, "Love in the Afternoon"'s Blu-ray release not only faithfully captures Mellor's distinctive black-and-white photography but also transports viewers to the heart of Paris with its finely tuned visual presentation. This meticulous remaster highlights Mellor's artistic intent while providing a gorgeously textured and detailed image.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track for "Love in the Afternoon" has been commendably restored from surviving optical elements. This effort has resulted in a soundtrack free of intrusive pops, clicks, and other distortions. The dialogue is sharply articulated and easy to comprehend, while sound effects are presented with the appropriate emphasis. This cleaned-up track maintains excellent fidelity and modulation, ensuring an engaging audio experience despite the film’s overall quiet nature.

Music plays a pivotal role in this film’s audio landscape, with the soothing string quartet underscoring the action sporadically. The musical selections, including pieces by Flannagan's house band, the Gypsies, are warm and full. The tune "Fascination" is notably recurrent, enhancing the nostalgic ambiance, while the prelude from Wagner's "Tristan and Isolde" adds a touch of classical gravitas. Ambient effects, though few, are distinct and add to the scene setting, with distortion notably absent and no age-related hiss, pops, or crackles intruding on the listening experience. Though understated, this track meets all essential audio criteria admirably.

The Blu-ray release of "Love in the Afternoon" offers a minimal selection of extras, focusing solely on enhancing the viewing experience for cinephiles. The primary inclusion is the film's original theatrical trailer, meticulously remastered in high definition, presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, and spanning a succinct three minutes. This extra echoes the sparse offering of Warner's 2002 DVD release of the same film. While the limited supplemental material might disappoint those seeking in-depth behind-the-scenes content or interviews, the high-quality restoration of the trailer provides a nostalgic glimpse into the film's initial promotion and is a noteworthy inclusion for dedicated fans of classic cinema.

Extras included in this disc:

Film's Original Theatrical Trailer: Remastered in high definition; 1.78:1 aspect ratio; 3 minutes.

Billy Wilder’s "Love in the Afternoon" attempts to emulate the inimitable charm of Ernst Lubitsch, blending sophisticated humor with the romantic whimsy of Paris. The narrative centers around Ariane Chavasse (Audrey Hepburn), a naïve French cellist, and seasoned American businessman Frank Flannagan (Gary Cooper). Despite its stellar cast, witty dialogue, and picturesque Parisian settings, the film struggles to sustain audience engagement due to the glaring age disparity between its leads and their lukewarm chemistry. Cooper, at 56, appears even older next to Hepburn’s youthful exuberance, making their romance less convincing.

The Blu-ray presentation from Warner Archive Collection is commendable, offering a pristine 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono soundtrack. The narrative unfolds with Ariane rescuing Flannagan from a vengeful husband and subsequently engaging in a prolonged, coy courtship where she pretends to have numerous lovers. Maurice Chevalier shines as Ariane’s father, Claude Chavasse, a shrewd private eye whose droll commentary anchors the film’s comic undertones. The film’s length, however, overstretches its slender plot, diluting its comedic potential and pacing.

Aimed to be a homage to Lubitsch's genius, "Love in the Afternoon" suffers from its era's censorship limitations, which strip away any real tension or risqué allure from Ariane and Flannagan's relationship. Wilder’s direction is meticulous, with sequences featuring hotel staff escapades and Chevalier’s sardonic observations standing out. Yet, the film’s core—Hepburn and Cooper's romance—falters under its miscasting, leading to a pleasant but largely tepid viewing experience that lacks the sparkling effervescence of its inspirations.

"Love in the Afternoon" is a film that endeavors to rekindle the famed magic of Lubitsch but falls short in its execution. Directed by Billy Wilder, this May-December romantic comedy features the ethereal Audrey Hepburn and the seasoned Gary Cooper. However, their pairing lacks the essential chemistry to sell the romance, with Hepburn's radiant charm only partially compensating for Cooper's noticeably senior presence. The film does offer insights into sexual mores of its era, yet it struggles with pacing and a stiff presentation that undercuts its thematic potency and comedic intent.

Technically, the Blu-ray release is highly commendable. The remastered video and audio are of superior quality, enriching the visual and auditory experience. The meticulous restoration highlights the film's elegant cinematography and iconic musical score, making it a valuable acquisition for cinephiles and collectors of classic cinema. Despite its narrative shortcomings, the attention to technical detail on this Blu-ray release cannot be overstated.

William Wyler aptly summarized the challenge of capturing Lubitsch’s unique charm; "Love in the Afternoon" is a commendable effort but not a complete success. While it may not be a standout in any of the principal players' filmographies, it remains a respectfully preserved piece brought to life by Warner Archive Collection. Recommended primarily on its technical merits.