Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Based on the bestseller by Richard Yates, this mesmerizing and moving story follows the lives of a passionate young couple living in suburban Connecticut who decide to risk everything to pursue their dreams. They're willing to break away from the ordinary - but can they do it without breaking apart?

Winslet and DiCaprio haven't been onscreen together since Titanic, and they haven't skipped a beat—although this isn't a Jack and Rose love story by any stretch! It's probably the most realistic portrayal of marriage I've ever seen from Hollywood. Whose happiness is more important? The breadwinner or the homemaker? Is there a choice? If the career is more important, how does the homemaker cope with the sacrifice of their own self-gratification, and what's the emotional cost?

The 1080p AVC encode does a good job presenting the 1950s life. The color palette varies from warm and inviting to bleak and colorless depending on the state of the relationship between Frank and April. Black levels are rock-solid with above-average detail. During the opening act, the resolution is a bit softer than the best Blu-rays, and unfortunately, edge enhancement creeps into the picture on occasion, marring what could have been a reference-quality encode.

The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack is serviceable for the subject matter, but it doesn't lend itself to a demo-worthy showpiece. Dialog is front and center and always intelligible, but the front-heavy track doesn't offer much in the way of a surround-sound experience. The rear speakers provide minimal ambience, and the LFE is non-existent, but the score by Thomas Newman fills the soundstage when needed.

The bonus material includes an audio commentary from director Sam Mendes and screenwriter Justin Haythe, a behind-the-scenes documentary, a look at author Richard Yates' writings, nearly 30 minutes of deleted scenes, and the theatrical trailer, all in HD.

Having been married for nearly 20 years, many of the arguments between Frank and April look and sound way too familiar. If you are expecting Ozzie and Harriet, look elsewhere—but you'll miss some great performances by Winslet and DiCaprio and a solid HD presentation.