Love Story (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Love Story (Blu-ray) review

Studio: Paramount
Release Date: February 9, 2021
Rating: PG
Film: 4.5/5
 
Plot
Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw both received Oscar® nominations^* for their starring roles in the timeless, unmatched tale from the heart.  Harvard students Oliver (O’Neal) and Jenny (MacGraw) come from opposite backgrounds, but they share a chemistry they cannot deny—and a love they can’t ignore. Despite Oliver’s wealthy father threatening to disown him, the young couple marries and begins to build their new life together. But fate has other plans, and soon Oliver and Jenny face a crisis only the strongest of loves can endure.
 
My Thoughts
I’m man enough to admit that I enjoy a good love story every now and then so when I saw that the 50^th Anniversary of this iconic film was headed to Blu-ray as on of Paramount Presents titles, I thought it was the perfect time to experience it for the first time. The movie itself holds up quite well despite its age mainly due to the chemistry between the two stars. You can tell that they really enjoyed each other’s company on the production. One thing to know going in is that the story doesn’t have a happy ending, which you discover in the very first scene of the film. Overall, the story works because its genuine and hits very close to home.
 
One thing I didn’t know about the film until watching the supplements package is it was shot on a shoestring budget since Paramount was in dire financial straights at the end of the 1960s and badly needed a hit. Well, they got a phenomenal ROI since the film cost about $2 million to make and grossed over $100 million at the box office feeding the studio some much needed cash. Fortunately, this was the beginning of a turnaround for them because The Godfather was just around the corner.
 
Video 4/5
 
Audio 3.5/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
Special Features:
 

• Filmmaker Focus
• TCM Introduction by Ben Mankiewicz
• Commentary
• Love Story: A Classic Remembered
• Trailer
• Blu-ray + Digital Code

 
 

 
 
Conclusion
I wasn’t sure I’d like this when it started given its age, but it holds up quite well after all these years. Sure, the editing could have been tightened up a bit to trim a few minutes off the runtime, but this is a very minor nit that I’m picking. The presentation is decent but I found the audio to be lacking on a few occasions but the video quality is quite good. Recommended for fans.
 
 
Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
 Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor 
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player 
 System Controller: URC MX-980
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)

M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
 HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
 SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
 JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (configured as tandem mid bass modules)
 Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner