An Affair to Remember Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "An Affair to Remember" stands as a testament to meticulous film restoration. Encoded in 1080p/AVC, the transfer superbly showcases the film's classic CinemaScope format with remarkably rich and lightly exaggerated colors that maintain the mid-century Hollywood charm. Deborah Kerr's lushly hued hair and elaborate gowns exemplify this attention to color detail. The restoration work has yielded a nearly immaculate print with minimal specks and no significant artifacts. Additionally, the absence of digital noise reduction or overzealous edge enhancement ensures a natural, film-like image integrity.

The clarity and contrast are exceptional throughout, with vibrant hues and superior color saturation maintaining an authentic 1950s aesthetic. Notably, the blue ocean scenes, along with Kerr's and Grant's skin tones, appear strikingly natural. Despite the use of single-strip color technology, the picture quality remains incredibly robust, with black levels possessing notable depth and shadow delineation exhibiting no crush issues. Even moments that could detract, such as shifts in grain during stock footage transitions, are handled deftly without compromising overall visual continuity.

Overall, the presentation is a triumph in maintaining the glamour and opulence of the original production. The light grain adds a cinematic texture, counteracting any potential harshness from rear projection scenes typical of that era. With only minor blemishes and a clear, cohesive image throughout, this carefully restored version is bound to delight both purist collectors and new audiences alike.

20th Century Fox's decision to upgrade "An Affair to Remember" to a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for this Blu-ray release enhances the original CinemaScope format, which historically included right, left, and center channels along with a single surround channel. The rear speakers predominantly enrich the film's score, which, although a bit melodramatic in content, is sonically delightful. Additionally, audiences will appreciate occasional effects like a foghorn or a door knock emanating from the surround speakers, lending a subtle yet immersive audio experience. Dialog remains clean and discernible throughout, further supported by the impeccable diction of stars Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. For accessibility, English SDH and Spanish subtitles are included in clear and easily readable white lettering.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track effectively breathes new life into this romantic classic with crisp, vibrant sound, meticulously free of any surface defects such as pops or static. The film’s iconic music score benefits tremendously from this format, achieving an impressive surround presence that enlivens the auditory landscape. Mild stereo separation across the front channels notably enhances exterior scenes filmed on decks and urban landscapes. While the subwoofer remains relatively subdued—a typical aspect for films of this genre—the overall audio output surpasses vintage film standards and is a marked improvement over previous DVD releases. The meticulous audio restoration results in an engaging and enjoyable experience that honors the film’s original charm while leveraging modern audio technology.

The Blu-ray release of "An Affair to Remember" is generously packed with a variety of supplementary materials that cater both to fans of the film and enthusiasts of classic cinema. The disc comes with a commentary track by film historian Joseph McBride and sporadic contributions from singer Marni Nixon, providing a wealth of insights, although primarily valuable to those new to classic films. The featurettes delve into various aspects of the film and its creators: Peter Viertel and Barbara Grant offer personal reflections on Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant respectively, while another featurette explores the extensive career of director Leo McCarey, supplemented with commentary from notable historians such as Peter Bogdanovich. Additional retrospectives cover producer Jerry Wald, the visual style of the film, and a documentary from the AMC series. Lastly, the disc includes a vintage newsreel and the original trailer.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insights from Joseph McBride and Marni Nixon.
• Affairs to Remember: Deborah Kerr: Tribute by her husband Peter Viertel.
• Affairs to Remember: Cary Grant: Reminiscences by Barbara Grant.
• Directed by Leo McCarey: A look at McCarey's career with comments from film historians.
• A Producer to Remember: Jerry Wald: Retrospective by his family.
• The Look of An Affair to Remember: Discussion on the film's 1950s Hollywood aesthetics.
• AMC Backstory: An Affair to Remember: Half-hour program on behind-the-scenes drama.
• Fox Movietone News: Vintage newsreel on the film's shipboard premiere.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for the movie.

"An Affair to Remember," the 1957 romantic film directed by Leo McCarey, is a revered classic that epitomizes the Hollywood romance genre. The film's sentimental charm is palpable, with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr delivering convincing performances as lovers whose burgeoning relationship is orchestrated by fate. Grant plays Nickie Ferrante, a suave international playboy set to marry an heiress, while Kerr embodies Terry McKay, a nightclub singer bound by a secure but dull relationship. Their romantic entanglements aboard a trans-Atlantic ocean liner lead to a poignant arrangement: to meet atop the Empire State Building in six months to pursue their love.

The plot's inherent implausibility and melodramatic turns may challenge the more discerning viewer. However, the movie operates within the logic of love and fantasy, enhanced by vibrant CinemaScope color photography and meticulously crafted sets that foster an almost dreamlike ambiance. Despite its occasionally contrived storyline and somewhat padded runtime, compared to McCarey's earlier work "Love Affair," the film's emotional weight is undeniable. This is primarily due to Grant's effortless charisma and Kerr's sincere portrayal, which imbue the narrative with a compelling allure.

"An Affair to Remember" remains a quintessential romance propelled by its leading actors' chemistry. The film’s mix of heartfelt moments and glamour, set against lush backdrops and underscored by nostalgic musical numbers, artfully manipulates the viewer’s emotions. While its saccharine presentation and sentimentalism might be excessive for some audiences, those willing to suspend disbelief will find it a delightful escapist experience. This Blu-ray release, with its pristine 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video codec and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, offers an ideal way to revisit this timeless tale of love tested by fate.

The Blu-ray release of "An Affair to Remember" astutely revives this quintessential Hollywood romance, adored for its nostalgic allure and heartfelt narrative. Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr's magnetic performances epitomize classic cinema charm, endearing the film to both longtime fans and new audiences alike. The digital restoration elevates the visual and auditory experience significantly, offering crisp, vibrant imagery and enhanced sound quality that breathes new life into every evocative scene.

Fox's presentation is meticulous, delivering the film in handsome digibook packaging that complements the restored video and audio. The supplementals add substantial value, providing a deeper appreciation of this timeless love story. Despite the narrative's implausible twists, the undeniable chemistry between Grant and Kerr alongside the film's elegant continental flair ensures it remains a sweetheart favorite, evoking both smiles and tears with its poignant conclusion.

Conclusively, despite a plot that makes far too many implausible twists, An Affair to Remember is a grand Hollywood romance that every chick-flick fan should see at least once. Not only does it feature the always-charming Cary Grant—a picture of whose face, I believe, illustrates the dictionary definition of debonair—but it also concludes with the kind of tearful happy ending that necessitates the presence of a handkerchief, a hand to squeeze, and a shoulder on which to cry. In short, it's the perfect Valentine's Day sob-a-thon. Recommended for capital-R-Romantics of all ages.