Blu-ray News and Reviews | High Def Digest
Film & TV All News Blu-Ray Reviews Release Dates News Pre-orders 4K Ultra HD Reviews Release Dates News Pre-orders Gear Reviews News Home Theater 101 Best Gear Film & TV
Blu-Ray : Recommended
Ranking:
Sale Price: $44.97 Last Price: $ Buy now! 3rd Party 94.95 In Stock
Release Date: February 1st, 2011 Movie Release Year: 1957

An Affair to Remember

Overview -

In this poignant and humorous love story nominated for four Academy Awards, Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr meet on an ocean liner and fall deeply in love. Though each is engaged to someone else, they agree to meet six months later at the Empire State Building if they still feel the same way about each other. But a tragic accident prevents their rendezvous and the lover's future takes an emotional and uncertain turn.

OVERALL:
Recommended
Rating Breakdown
STORY
VIDEO
AUDIO
SPECIAL FEATURES
Tech Specs & Release Details
Technical Specs:
BD-50 Dual Layer Disc
Video Resolution/Codec:
1080p/MPEG-4 AVC
Length:
119
Aspect Ratio(s):
2.35:1
Audio Formats:
Spanish Mono 1.0
Subtitles/Captions:
Spanish Subtitles
Special Features:
Theatrical Trailer
Release Date:
February 1st, 2011

Storyline: Our Reviewer's Take

Ranking:

By the time 'Sleepless in Seattle' was released in 1993, the reputation of 'An Affair to Remember' as a romantic classic had been firmly cemented for a few decades. But director Nora Ephron revitalized interest in the timeworn tale by paying reverential homage to it in her own film, using numerous clips and borrowing a critical plot element. Since then, 'An Affair to Remember' has only grown in stature, attracting legions of new fans. What's lost in the furor, though, is the fact that Leo McCarey's glossy comedy-drama isn't really a very good film. Trite, treacly, and self-important, it pales when compared to dozens of similar movies in the same genre.

Of course I like 'An Affair to Remember.' It's almost impossible to resist the considerable charms of Cary Grant and sincerity of Deborah Kerr, and not be seduced by the glamorous locales and fetching color photography. Yet few movies are as shamelessly sentimental and manipulative, and the story is hard to swallow even by the broad-based standards of Hollywood romance. What's more, the tale was told far better - by McCarey himself, of all people - 18 years earlier in its first incarnation, 'Love Affair,' one of the many great films of 1939, starring Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer. That version runs 30 minutes shorter than its bloated remake and possesses infinitely more whimsy and heart. Rarely does lightning strike twice, and though 'An Affair to Remember' is a stellar picture and many would argue McCarey improved upon his original, I remain partial to the earlier film.

Grant portrays quintessential playboy Nickie Ferrante, who makes no apologies for his parasitic lifestyle, living off rich women and enjoying the spoils they provide. On a transatlantic cruise, he meets the lovely Terry McKay (Kerr), who has given up a blossoming singing career to be involved in a secure yet unfulfilling relationship with a successful businessman. The two flirt and spar as an attraction develops, and after a visit to Nickie's elderly mother (Cathleen Nesbitt) on the riviera, they become closer. The complications of their respective lives, however, prevent them from forging an immediate life together, so when the ship docks in New York, they agree to meet six months later at the top of the Empire State Building, "the nearest thing to heaven we have in New York." By that time, they both hope to extricate themselves from their relationships, stand on their own two feet for a spell, and realize the depth of their feelings for each other. Tragedy, however, intervenes, dashing their plan and threatening their future together.

'An Affair to Remember' is one of a series of ultra-romantic films from the mid-1950s that run thick with lush trimmings and rely on a saccharine presentation to tug heartstrings. It succeeds on those counts, but the story struggles for credibility and the dialogue often seems stale. McCarey also pads the movie with a couple of unnecessary musical numbers that slow down the action in the more dramatic second half and lessen the romantic tension. Yes, it takes longer for the lovers to (possibly) reunite, but that's not always a good thing. As the plot progresses toward its climax, a bit of ennui sets in that doesn't do the film any favors.

But when you've got Grant and Kerr as leads, even the most tired material can seem fresh. The duo possesses considerable chemistry and does their best to breathe life into the dialogue. Their conviction pays off and it's impossible to resist their characters and relationship. Grant is, well, Cary Grant, and his patented debonair persona is on full display. Kerr, who was nominated for six Best Actress Academy Awards during her career and - criminally - never won, never gives a bad performance, and she's in top form here, bringing a welcome naturalness and warmth to Terry that make us, like Grant, fall in love with her.

Without Grant and Kerr, there would be no affair to remember. The two actors make this film the classic that it is, and though it's reputation may be a bit overblown, it's still - more than a half century after its initial release - worthy of a fond backward glance every now and then.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

'An Affair to Remember' arrives on Blu-ray packaged in a very attractive digibook. The 50GB dual-layer disc is tucked neatly into the back cover of the 28-page hardcover volume, which is lavishly illustrated with both color and black-and-white photos and printed on high-quality glossy paper. The text provides an overview of the movie's plot, bios of Grant, Kerr, and director McCarey, and some behind-the-scenes anecdotes; there's also a cast list, and quotes from the film are sprinkled liberally throughout the pages. Video codec is 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 and primary audio is DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. After inserting the disc in your player, the full-motion menu with music immediately pops up; no promos or previews precede it.

Video Review

Ranking:

If the movie itself isn't enough to wring a few tears, then the sparkling transfer from Fox will certainly make the film's faithful weep with joy. The studio has taken great care with 'An Affair to Remember,' and the 1080p/MPEG-4 AVC effort showcases the picture's glamorous settings with marvelous clarity, superior contrast, and fine color saturation. Light grain maintains the film-like feel and softens the rear projection work that 1080p tends to intensify.

Hues are rich and vibrant, despite the use of single-strip color technology, with the blue ocean making an especially strong statement. Kerr's gowns and reddish hair look lush yet natural, and fleshtones, from Grant's bronzed skin to Kerr's creamy complexion, are spot-on. Black levels possess nice weight and whites remain in check, while close-ups, which are used sparingly, yield strong details. Shadow delineation is good, with no incidents of crush, and background elements are relatively sharp.

Only a couple of stray marks could be seen on the pristine print, and no edge enhancement or digital noise break the spell. Fox once again scores big on a classic movie transfer, and that is good news indeed!

Audio Review

Ranking:

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track provides clean, crisp audio that helps perk up this romantic classic.

Any surface defects, such as pops, crackles, and static, have been meticulously erased, leaving a vibrant, engaging track. The syrupy music score enjoys a lovely surround presence, while mild stereo separation across the front channels opens up the sound field during the exterior shipboard and urban sequences. Dialogue is always clear and easy to understand, thanks in part to the impeccable diction of Grant and Kerr, and no distortion in the higher register ever creeps in. The subwoofer remains pretty quiet, but that's to be expected for a movie of this sort.

All in all, the audio is quite good by vintage film standards, and certainly improves upon the previous DVD release.

Special Features

Ranking:

A substantial spate of supplements enhances this release, and will certainly please both the film's rabid fans and classic movie buffs.

  • Audio Commentary – Film historian Joseph McBride and singer Marni Nixon (who dubbed Kerr's vocals, just as she did in 'The King and I') provide separate remarks, with Nixon only participating peripherally. McBride dominates the track, and he covers most of the bases, but his delivery is lackadaisical and the information he provides isn't very enlightening unless you're a complete classics newbie. Nixon doesn't have much to say, and that's understandable, considering that her contribution to the film is minimal at best. Unless you're a diehard 'Affair to Remember' aficionado on a par with the 'Sleepless in Seattle' crew, it's best to skip this tiresome effort.
  • Featurette: "Affairs to Remember: Deborah Kerr" (SD, 5 minutes) – Kerr's second husband, Peter Viertel, reminisces about his wife, their romance and marriage, and her talent in this touching tribute.
  • Featurette: "Affairs to Remember: Cary Grant" (SD, 10 minutes) – This featurette allows Grant's final wife, Barbara, the opportunity to recall how she met the actor, the evolution of their relationship, the substantial age difference between them, the actor's unique charm, and his attitude toward life.
  • Featurette: "Directed by Leo McCarey" (SD, 22 minutes) – An in-depth look at the director's career, from his childhood and education to his Hollywood successes, stormy professional relationship with Cary Grant, and how an automobile accident changed his life and influenced his work. A number of film historians, including director Peter Bogdonovich, honor and psychoanalyze McCarey and dissect 'An Affair to Remember.' The featurette's only drawback is a lack of film clips; otherwise, it's an absorbing and thoughtful piece.
  • Featurette: "A Producer to Remember: Jerry Wald" (SD, 16 minutes) – A salute to the prolific producer by his widow, brother, and son, who chronicle his life and career.
  • Featurette: "The Look of 'An Affair to Remember'" (SD, 9 minutes) – A few film historians examine the distinctive 1950s look of the movie, it's use of CinemaScope and pastel colors, and how the studio-shot sequences contribute to the dreamy romance depicted on screen.
  • Featurette: "AMC Backstories: 'An Affair to Remember'" (SD, 24 minutes) – This 2001 installment of the popular TV series doesn't possess as much meat as other film retrospectives, but is interesting and entertaining nonetheless, as it examines the challenges director McCarey faced in remaking his own movie; the improvisation that permeated many scenes; Grant's own devastating affair with Sophia Loren and how it inspired his portrayal, just as Kerr's troubled marriage influenced her performance; and the picture's rebirth after it was saluted in 'Sleepless in Seattle.'
  • Fox Movietone News (SD, 1 minute) – A brief look at the film's shipboard premiere and the celebrities who attended it.
  • Theatrical Trailer (SD, 3 minutes) – The film's original theatrical trailer rounds out the supplemental package.

Final Thoughts

'An Affair to Remember' remains as shamelessly sentimental and cloyingly sweet as ever, but this classic tale of thwarted romance has plenty of charm, too, thanks to top-flight portrayals from Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr and a nice continental flair. Fox has given this time-honored favorite the red carpet treatment, with handsome digibook packaging, restored video and audio, and a cavalcade of extras. So grab a box of tissues and enjoy this weepie with one you love. Recommended.