Sunday in New York Blu-ray Review

Warner Archive Collection's Blu-ray release of "Sunday in New York" offers an outstanding 1080p transfer, sourced from a likely 2K scan of the film's interpositive. This meticulous restoration results in a filmic visual quality accentuated by natural grain and texture, presenting an authentic cinematic experience. Iconic Manhattan landmarks and era-specific storefronts are rendered beautifully under warm, natural lighting, with excellent color saturation. Interior shots, including Adam's upscale studio apartment and a colorful Chinese restaurant, feel inviting and richly detailed.

The transfer also significantly improves upon the 2011 DVD release by enhancing contrast, brightness, and clarity and supplying richer colors while eliminating previous issues like specks and scratches. The image appears remarkably clean and crisp, with a healthy layer of grain to maintain the film-like appearance. Blacks are inky, whites are distinct, and shadow delineation is excellent, adding depth and contour to the visuals. Occasional softness in some segments doesn't detract from the overall exceptional quality. Skin tones and costume colors look accurate and stable throughout, contributing to a vivid and engaging viewing experience.

The DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track on the Blu-ray presentation of "Sunday in New York" is commendable for its cleanliness and stability, devoid of any source defects. Dialogue emerges with remarkable clarity, maintaining proper prioritization and intelligibility throughout the film. Overlapping conversations are expertly managed, appearing natural and distinct without competitional overlap. Peter Nero's original score is delivered with excellent clarity and dynamic range, producing a near-stereo experience during musical and outdoor sequences.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track delivers crisp, well-modulated sound throughout. Although the film is dialogue-driven with minimal use of atmospheric effects, occasional sonic accents such as slamming doors and thunderclaps are effectively rendered. Sound is nicely balanced and free from age-related surface noise, exhibiting excellent fidelity that allows Nero's jazzy score to fill the room easily. The wide dynamic scale manages highs and lows adeptly, ensuring no distortion. Overall, this unobtrusive yet efficient track performs admirably, enhancing the viewing experience with minimal fuss.

Optional English (SDH) subtitles are included and formatted perfectly, presenting no synchronization issues.

The Blu Ray of "Sunday in New York" offers minimal yet valuable extras that complement the main feature remarkably well. The exclusive extra is the film's original theatrical trailer, which is preserved in excellent condition. Packaged in a standard keepcase with poster-themed cover artwork, it maintains a professional presentation. Although the content is limited, the quality and preservation of the included trailer enriches the viewing experience by providing a nostalgic glimpse into the film's original promotional materials.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: This well-preserved vintage promotional piece offers a nostalgic look back at the film’s original release.

"Sunday in New York" directed by Peter Tewksbury, stars Jane Fonda as Eileen Tyler, a spirited young woman navigating romantic entanglements in 1960s Manhattan. She pays an unexpected visit to her airline pilot brother Adam (Cliff Robertson), disrupting his plans for a cozy Sunday with his girlfriend Mona (Jo Morrow). Eileen's accidental encounter with Mike Mitchell (Rod Taylor) on a city bus leads to a whirlwind of humorous and touching moments, exacerbated by the surprise visit from her fiancé Russ (Robert Culp). The film jumps from misconceived societal norms to charming twists with its sitcom-like snafus and breezy narrative, eventually settling into a rhythm that charms audiences with its sparkling script and buoyant performances.

The movie plays expertly with the comedic and romantic formulae of its time, blending humor and heart with surprising social commentary. With its origins in Norman Krasna's play, the film gets a theatrical boost from Krasna's screenplay and a deft directorial touch from Tewksbury, known for his sitcom work. While the film could seem dated, its open embrace of emerging women's liberation trends and racy dialogue for its era injects a refreshing perspective. Fonda, fresh-faced and effervescent, captures the screen with both a prudish charm and evolving sexual boldness that captivates throughout the 105-minute runtime.

Supporting performances, especially from Robertson's physically comic Adam and Taylor’s affably rugged Mike, enhance the film's charm. The beautiful cinematography by Leo Tover, alongside iconic NYC locations like Rockefeller Center and Central Park, lends essential flavor and authenticity. The score by jazz artist Peter Nero perfectly complements the film’s atmosphere, reinforcing the film’s charm and nostalgic appeal. Though "Sunday in New York" straddles familiar romantic comedy tropes of its era, it emerges as an endearing, light-hearted classic that sparkles with wit and offers a timeless vintage charm.

Peter Tewksbury's "Sunday in New York" offers a delightful foray into classic romantic comedy, blending lighthearted escapades with unexpectedly nuanced themes of love and identity. The film kicks off with some predictable sitcom-style mishaps but quickly gains traction as its running gags build momentum, eventually finding a comfortable and entertaining groove. Jane Fonda's fresh and engaging presence, complemented by the charismatic performances of Rod Taylor, Cliff Robertson, and Robert Culp, drives the narrative forward. Tewksbury's direction energizes Norman Krasna’s witty screenplay to deliver a breezy yet satisfying experience.

Warner Archive’s Blu-ray release significantly enhances this charming film with an impressive 1080p transfer and crisp lossless audio, showcasing a noticeable upgrade from its previous 2011 DVD version. While devoid of extensive extras, the technical quality more than compensates for the modest bonus content, ensuring viewers can fully appreciate the vibrant colors and clear sound synonymous with high-definition presentations.

For fans of vintage romantic comedies or those in search of a feel-good viewing experience, "Sunday in New York" is highly recommended. Despite some dated elements, the film’s spirited charm and quality Blu-ray presentation make it worth adding to any collection. Adapter errors aside, this release offers an enjoyable, nostalgic trip that is sure to delight both seasoned fans and curious newcomers alike.