April Love Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "April Love" comes with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, and the presentation has garnered mixed reactions. The video quality showcases an evident restoration that marks a significant improvement over previous releases, which were plagued with various issues. The film's color palette receives mixed feedback; while vibrant blues and robust reds enhance the aesthetic appeal, especially in the lush outdoor scenes around Lexington and the strikingly red Austin-Healy sports car, greens remain disappointingly anemic. This minor shortcoming affects the overall lushness of the Kentucky countryside visuals. The detail levels fluctuate—close-ups often aren’t as sharp as expected, and film grain can be a bit variable, but it manages to resolve naturally for the most part, adding some depth and texture to the image.

In stark contrast to the previous release's woes, this newly restored 2.35:1 1080p Cinemascope presentation offers a visually stunning experience. From the outset, primary colors like greens, yellows, and blues display exceptional vibrancy, giving the film an engaging visual pop. Flesh tones are rendered accurately, maintaining Pat Boone’s characteristic tan and ensuring that all characters appear healthy. Black levels and shadows enrich the image with considerable depth, seldom suffering from crushing. The fine film grain retained throughout enhances detail levels beautifully. However, transitions involving opticals do result in some noticeable softening, but this is an intrinsic limitation rather than a flaw in the restoration. Overall, the visual presentation of "April Love" is exceptional, setting a high standard for catalog releases.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "April Love" delivers an impressive audio presentation with excellent fidelity and consistent quality throughout the film. The soundtrack excels particularly in the midrange and lower end, which robustly support Pat Boone's sonorous singing. The high end, while not as rich, still provides sufficient presence for Shirley Jones' lilting soprano. Dialogue is cleanly articulated and remains clear, with occasional post-looping introducing subtle changes in ambient reverb and tonality. The musical numbers, notably Boone's Academy Award-nominated title song, are well-supported and dynamically enhance the audio experience.

The audio mix demonstrates a strong spacial spread and atmospheric presence during various scenes, notably in the drag race and sulky horserace sequences. Here, the roaring engines, lively score, trotting hooves, and dialogue occupy the sound space equitably, creating an immersive experience. In quieter moments, the audio smartly consolidates into the midrange, allowing dialogue to take focus while peripheral sound effects and thematic music remain appropriately situated in the background. During musical numbers, however, the central channels become dominant, providing an intensified and powerfully ranged auditory experience, albeit with a slightly jarring transition due to the inherent recording structure. Overall, this expertly crafted audio track enhances the film’s nostalgic charm and should satisfy both audiophiles and casual viewers alike.

The Blu-Ray extras for "April Love" are thoughtfully curated, offering a deep dive into the film’s production and legacy. An engaging audio commentary features actress Shirley Jones and film historian Nick Redman, providing lively and informative insights about the movie and the era's filmmaking process. The isolated score track, presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, allows viewers to fully appreciate the film's musical composition in high fidelity. The original theatrical trailer, although displayed in standard definition (SD) at 480p with a 4x3 letterbox format, emphasizes the impressive restoration work done for the main feature.

Extras included in this disc:

• Isolated Score Track: Presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0.
• Audio Commentary: Actress Shirley Jones and Film Historian Nick Redman share insights, with anecdotal contributions regarding production.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: (SD 2:32) Standard definition, letterboxed 4x3 framed, showcasing the quality of the restoration work on the main feature.

Set in the idyllic backdrop of Kentucky, "April Love" (1957) is a quintessential representation of 1950s cinema’s wholesome charm. Directed by Henry Levin, the film stars Pat Boone as Nick Conover, a troubled youth sent to his Aunt Henrietta (Jeanette Nolan) and Uncle Jed's (Arthur O'Connell) farm as part of his probation. With a plot dripping in Americana, Nick's journey from delinquency to redemption is less about shocks and more about gentle moral lessons underscored by picturesque Cinemascope visuals. The film harmoniously balances minimal musical numbers and a warmhearted narrative, punctuated by Boone’s soothing vocals. The dynamic between Nick and the winsome neighbor Liz (Shirley Jones) adds a layer of innocent romance, contrasted by her sister Fran’s (Dolores Michaels) more modern allure.

The character arcs, though predictable, are endearing. Jed, who grapples with grief from losing his son in the Korean War, initially treats Nick with suspicion; however, as Nick proves his worth through hard work and his natural rapport with an unruly stallion, Tugfire, the relationship softens. This subplot culminates in an exhilarating horse race, cleverly utilizing the full range of Cinemascope to elevate the tension and excitement. The film's strength lies in Levin’s adept use of Kentucky's scenic vistas, making the countryside an integral part of the narrative’s charm.

However, "April Love" isn’t without its shortcomings. While the performances are solid—Boone playing a sanitized version of himself and Jones delivering a prelude to her later successes—the chemistry between the leads lacks depth and genuine conflict. The plot is straightforward, abstaining from significant tension or complexity. Despite its shortcomings in dramatic heft, “April Love” stands out for its cultural significance juxtaposed against the more rebellious figures like Elvis Presley. It is a nostalgically sweet film, radiantly shot and competently directed, offering a wholesome slice of mid-century American life.

The Blu-ray release of "April Love" represents a notable effort by Twilight Time to breathe new life into this classic musical drama. The film, starring Pat Boone and Shirley Jones, is acknowledged for its charm and entertainment value despite its lightweight plot. Boone's portrayal of a quasi-delinquent is surprisingly effective, exuding a considerable degree of charm and aplomb. The film's appeal lies significantly in the chemistry between Boone and Jones, forming an engaging, albeit homogenous, couple that adds to the overall sweetness of the movie.

Technically, this Blu-ray release excels in both visual and audio departments, crucially enhancing the viewing experience. The high-definition restoration is strikingly beautiful, capturing the vivid colors and period details with precision. Accompanied by an outstanding audio track and an informative commentary track, this home video offering meticulously preserves the film's original charm while significantly improving upon its earlier releases. However, potential buyers should note that the video quality has some inconsistencies, which can be appraised further by reviewing the provided screencaptures.

Years ago when MTV was actually showing honest to goodness music videos (imagine such a thing), VJ Mark Goodman made me laugh out loud one day when he introduced a video by erstwhile Chicago frontman Peter Cetera by calling Cetera Danger Man, an obviously pointed (and probably snarky) commentary on Cetera's squeaky clean, white bread image. Boone would probably be the last person most casting agents would think of to fill the part of an errant quasi-delinquent, being about as dangerous as Cetera was deemed to be decades later. Perhaps surprisingly, he pulls off the role in April Love with considerable charm and aplomb, but of course the film doesn't exactly posit Nick as a menace to society. Boone and Jones make an appealing, if awfully homogenous, couple, and the film, while lightweight, is undeniably sweet and entertaining. Video is somewhat problematic on this release, and so interested consumers are encouraged to look over the screencaptures accompanying this review. With that caveat, April Love comes Recommended.