Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Anniversary Edition Paramount Movie ••••½ Picture/Sound •••• Extras •••½

The 2001 DVD release of Breakfast at Tiffany's was a huge disappointment. Images from the classic 1961 film of Truman Capote's biting romantic satire were dark, dull, and dismally grainy. The 5.1-channel mix was inconsistent and distracting, and there wasn't an extra to be found. Thank the gods on Mount Para: this new edition has righted most of those grievous wrongs. The transfer is bright and crisp without any harshness. Images have great depth, with plenty of detail from front to back, giving faces a nice roundness. Contrast is excellent - not only in the rich blacks of the mod suits and cocktail dresses but also in the slabs of vivid color popping up among subtler tones. And the sound is evenly balanced, with natural panning of dialogue and effects across the front and restrained but effective use of the surround channels. Sadly, the commentary is feeble, as producer Richard Shepherd says the obvious and offers little new. But the featurettes have interesting interviews with the always entertaining and informative director Blake Edwards - plus Audrey Hepburn's family offering some enticing tidbits on the beloved star. [NR] English, Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2-channel mono; French, Dolby Digital 2-channel mono; letterboxed (1.78:1) and anamorphic widescreen; dual layer.