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(About Our Ads) DVD REVIEW FOR "IN LOVE AND WAR" (1996) (Chris O'Donnell, Sandra Bullock) (PG-13) Length Screen Format(s) Languages Subtitles Sound Sides 113 minutes Letterbox (2.35:1) 16x9 - Widescreen Full Frame (Pan & Scan) English English Dolby Digital 5.1 1 (Dual layer) PLOT & PARENTAL REVIEW VIDEO: (B) Although it unintentionally gives the film an appropriate, old-time look and feel, the film's transfer clearly isn't as sharp as one has come to expect from the format, and at times even seems as if it's a bit out of focus. As such, detail isn't sharp and some pixelation is present (and even looks worse in the "larger" full screen version as compared with the letterboxed one). Despite an intentionally muted overall color palette, the colors that are present do look good. AUDIO: (A-) From the base rumbling, war-related sound effects to the moving score, the disc's audio track sounds good, but properly never overwhelms the story or draws undue attention to itself. EXTRAS: Scene selection/Jump to any scene. Theatrical trailer. Cast & Crew filmographies and biographies (onscreen text). COMMENTS: The kind of movie that most critics hate, but fans of romantic dramas -- and particularly women -- love (to the tune of more than $14 million at the domestic box office), this is a sweet and often moving account of Ernest Hemingway's early days both during and then immediately following his stint in WWI. In this production, one can certainly see the genesis of his later "tough man" attitude and behavior and can't help being constantly reminded of the author's subsequent work, "A Farewell to Arms." While certainly not as tragic as that novel, this movie has its own tragedy in that Hemingway's boyish qualities are extinguished with a large and heavy dose of reality. Chris O'Donnell is fun to watch as the lead character, but early on I had difficulty imagining the old, grizzled Hemingway coming from this bundle of self-assured energy. Of course by the end, one discovers and sees the transformation taking place and thus that problem is at least partially resolved. Part of the enjoyment of the movie, though, comes from watching O'Donnell and Sandra Bullock — as his nurse-turned lover — working together. While both are charismatic actors, his confident flirtations playing against her blushing reactions make the movie both fun and sweet. Other fronts are well served, from the cinematography that captures the feel of early 20th century Europe, to director Richard Attenborough's pacing and approach at telling a wartime romantic story. While not the best account of romance during war captured on film, and occasionally excruciatingly slow, it's still a mostly enjoyable and at times moving production. Regarding the DVD, the video is something of a disappointment as it doesn't have the sharp look one has come to expect from this format. The audio, while delivering what's expected of it, isn't exceptional, and the supplemental material consists of what's now seemingly becoming the de facto standard — meaning just the film's trailer and some onscreen text-based notes about the film's cast and crew's personal and professional lives.