SRP $24.98 1.85:1(16:9) DOLBY SURROUND NEW LINE
NEW LINE has released the award winning, pyschologically provocative "THE FIVE SENSES."  Director/writer Jeremy Podeswa skillfully weaves this tale about five characters living in the same apartment complex.  Each individual has a void in their life related to one of the five senses.  Podeswa's cautionary tale comments that the modern world has so overstimulated our senses, they've become numb to the natural surroundings making up our existence.  Heady? Yes! Extremely!   Worthwhile? Absolutely!  While it does veer towards pretensiousness at times, it's still engaging, and it never really drags.  Not an easy task for an art film! 

The transfer is extremely sharp.  NEW LINE has presented this film with the proper 1.85:1 aspect ratio and 16:9 enhancement.  Color values are solid, and there's great detail even in the film's darkest scenes.

The audio mix is limited to Dolby Digital 2.0.  However, the storyline doesn't call for an aggressive sound mix and dialogue is well focused towards the center channel, and always intelligible.  The surrounds only kick in for atmosphere, and then only with regards to the musical score.  There are no real extras on this release, except for the theatrical trailer.

SRP $24.98 2.35:1(16:9) DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1 NEW LINE

"AN AFFAIR OF LOVE" is brilliant!  It explores sexual intimacy and love in a profound way, hitting all the right notes with more precision and skill in its brief 79 minute running time than Philip Kaufman managed to do with nearly three hours for his "UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING."  Nathalie Baye is as beautiful as she's ever been, as a woman exploring a sexual fantasy she shares with a stranger via a personal ad in a magazine.  The rules which she and the male counterpart agree to include never revealing any personal information, not even a first name!  While their sexual fantasies are supposed to be about total freedom, they begin to develop the need to establish "new" freedoms by breaking down the barriers that their sexual fantasies have put up.  Something as simple as "trying" the missionary position can thus be seen as "Bold!"   As the two continue to meet, the boundaries between wanton sexual recklessness and traditional "love" become less defined. 

The acting is first rate!  We believe and "care" about these two people very quickly.  The film also moves at a quick pace, bringing the viewer into its hypnotic charm with a sense of urgency.

NEW LINE has presented the 2.35:1 aspect ratio with 16:9 enhancement!  The picture is in pristine condition.   Frederick Fonteyne has created many splendid compositions, and all of them are complimented with this well-polished transfer! Colors are solid and contrast is excellent. There are plenty of dark scenes, and in all of them, the blacks and grays are perfectly defined.  There are no artifacts.

The dolby digital 5.1 sound mix isn't extremely aggressive.  While there are some directional effects, surrounds are limited mostly for musical atmosphere.  The dialogue is well focused and always intelligible.