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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Becoming Jane

    Featured In Issue 130, April 2008

    Picture4.5
    SoundNR
    WSR Score3.5
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Miramax Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    55606
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG
    (Rating Reason):
    For brief nudity and mild language
    (Retail Price):
    $34.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    120
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A
    (Theatrical Year):
    2007
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    02/12/08
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Julian Jarrold
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    Dolby Digital 5.1, PCM 24/48 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    Before "Becoming Jane" Austen (Hathaway) the novelist, she was simply Jane, the eiligible, well-bred country lass. With her family's finances lacking, Jane's parents attempt to arrange a marriage to a wealthy country gentleman. Strong willed Jane has other ideas though, once she meets an arrogant, penniless lawyer-to-be, Tom Lefroy (McAvoy). At first Jane is repelled by Tom's roguish behavior, but soon warms to him, as she finds he cherishes her intellect above all else. (Stacey Pendry)

    Special features include 13 deleted scenes; a commentary track by Director Julian Jarrold, Writer Kevin Hood, and Producer Robert Bernstein; a 17-minute Discovering The Real Jane Austen featurette; Becoming Jane Pop-up Facts & Footnotes; and up-front previews.

    The anamorphically enhanced 2.34:1 DVD shows good resolution, with sharp details, although there are times when inadequate compression can cause the image to look somewhat smeared. Color fidelity is good, with nicely rendered fleshtones and good balance. Contrast is also nicely balanced, and while black levels can be slightly elevated at times, there is a good sense of depth to the image. Edge enhancement is relatively minor, but can be recognized throughout. The H.264 AVC-encoded Blu-ray Disc features solid blacks and very good resolution, which helps create a realistic-looking image. The sense of depth in the imagery is pleasingly palpable. Contrast is nicely balanced as well. Source element artifacts can be recognized from time to time, but they are not overly distracting, and there are fleeting moments when details in the shadows appear crushed. (Danny Richelieu)

    The Dolby® Digital 5.1-channel soundtrack generally favors the front three screen channels, with little in the way of true surround envelopment. While the surround channels can be used fairly effectively for low-level atmospheric effects, they are often at such low levels that they are masked by the higher-level front stage. Fidelity is generally pure, but there are many instances when the soundtrack can be masked by a shuffling distortion. There are many times when dialogue also sounds forward with somewhat poor spatial integration. While the Blu-ray Disc's uncompressed linear PCM encoding does feature impressive fidelity with very good dynamic range, the problems with the mix are still painfully obvious. Dialogue can still sound forward at times as well. (Danny Richelieu)

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