An Affair To Remember (50th Anniversary Edition) – DVD Review

Available at Amazon.com

20th Century Fox / 1957 / 115 Minutes. Not Rated.
Street Date: January 15, 2008
List Price: $19.98

Directed By: Leo McCarey

Written by: Delmer Daves and Leo McCarey

Cast:

Cary Grant……….Nickie Ferrante
Deborah Kerr……….Terry McKay

The Film:

Nickie Ferrante is an international playboy, utter charmer – he is played by Cary Grant after all – and recently engaged. Terry McKay (Kerr) is a beautiful woman sent on vacation by her fiancé so she can clear her head. The two meet aboard an ocean liner and in classic Hollywood style, sparks fly immediately. They try their best to maintain a casual acquaintance as they are both engaged but by the end of the trip they are madly in love. They both still have things to sort out before they can be married and agree to meet in six months atop the Empire State Building. And that’s when the trouble begins.

It is this turning point that makes this such a fantastic film and elevates it above being just another romantic comedy. There is a tragic moment and the film spins off in a very unexpected direction. Much of the comedy disappears from the film but the quality does not. It builds to a wonderful Hollywood ending that might be more than expected but is no less entertaining.

I’ve said this countless times, but Cary Grant is a flawless actor. He is so engaging in everything he does and Affair is no exception. Whenever he’s on screen he puts a smile on your face. He and Deborah Kerr play off each other wonderfully. There is a certain lightness about their banter, it’s almost comforting. There are no surprises but that’s okay. When you watch a film like this you know exactly what you’re getting into and in doesn’t disappoint in any level.

This is a beautiful film both in story and in style. The bright vibrant colors pop off the screen and add to the over all charming quality of the film. The film is very well paced and doesn’t let you get bored for an instant.

Despite my gashing praise the film isn’t perfect. There are a few moments that jump out as dated, but even these have an entertaining quality all their own and tend not to distract too much from the over all enjoyment of the film. Many scenes are shot on stages and look it, but again, these things are common in 50’s Hollywood cinema and only continue to add to the overflowing charm.

When you see Cary Grant’s name on the marquee (or DVD box as it were) you pretty much know you’re in for a good time and this film does not disappoint. This is a marvelous actor at the top of his game with a beautiful and talented female lead to act with. There is no reason you shouldn’t enjoy this film.

The DVD:

This film is presented in 2.35:1 widescreen. Sound is in Dolby Digital 2.0o. Also dubbed in French and Spanish with Spanish subtitles available.

Extras:

Commentary with singer Marnie Nixon and Film Historian Joseph McBride: I generally don’t like “film historian” commentaries. While they are chockful of information, they are dry and uninteresting to listen to; you feel like you’re sitting in a bad film class. McBride is dry but there is something about him that doesn’t make him as annoying to listen to. Plus you have singer Marnie Nixon, Deborah Kerr’s singing voice in the film, who has a lot of nice things to add. Nixon is more interesting that McBride, but he has more speaking time.

Affairs To Remember: (15 min.) The widow and widower of Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr talk about how they met their spouse and how their relationships bloomed. This is very cute and appropriate considering the film.

Directed by Leo McCarery: (22 min.) This is a very nice tribute to the career and life of a great director.

A Producer to Remember: Jerry Wald: (16 min.) Just like the previous featurette, this is a great little piece about Wald and how prolific is career was.

The look of An Affair To Remember: (9 min.) An over all look at the style of the film, very enjoyable.

AMC Backstory: (24 min.) This was originally aired on AMC and is interesting but feels a little campy.

Fox Movietonews: Shipboard Premiere Attracts Celebrities: (6 min.) This a vintage piece about the premier of the film and is a wonderful look at how Hollywood and it’s stars were perceived back then.

Original Theatrical Trailer

Poster and Still Galleries

The Inside Pulse
This is a fantastic classic Hollywood love story and is given an all-star treatment with this 2 disc 50th Anniversary release. Not only to you get a great film but you get some really wonderful special features that are worth your time and your money. If you love classic films this one is a must own.