After crafting such classics as Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid and The Sting, director George Roy Hill would probably not be your first choice to make a beguiling romantic comedy. In 1979, Hill partnered with the newly formed Orion Pictures to do just that, and A Little Romance was the first film to be released by the company. The film is notable for being the debut film of the incredible Diane Lane, as well being one of the last films of the great Laurence Olivier.
A Little Romance is the story of Daniel (Thelonious Bernard), an intelligent young French boy who loves the movies and lives in Paris with his father, a taxi driver. One day on a school trip, he comes across Lauren (Diane Lane), a brilliant, affluent American girl who is living in Paris with her disapproving mother and open-minded father. The two are quickly drawn to each other, and their young romance blossoms into something incredibly heartwarming over a series of encounters. Whereas some films might play up the cultural or socioeconomical differences between the two, A Little Romance lets the pair be well-rounded individuals with a shared passion for knowledge and appreciation of philosophy. These young actors are incredibly charming; with Diane Lane showing early signs of the incredible talent that keeps her working until this day.
During one of their initial meetings, Daniel and Lauren come across Julius Edmund Santorin (Laurence Olivier), a kindly old gentleman who bonds with the two and serves as a friend and mentor throughout different portions of the film. Olivier brings a lot of heart into this late in life role, but the film loses a little of the magic later in the film when he becomes more central to the plot. The outside world begins to encroach on this young romance, which leads them to make grand plans to make the most of every second they are together. It is in the latter half of the film where reality seems to get slightly heightened and scenarios get a bit more improbable. This is forgiven, though, as the love of movies Daniel showcases throughout serves as a foundation for a more idealistic take on love.
The film is at its absolute best during the first half with the burgeoning relationship of the central pair. Everything is so natural in its development with very little unnecessary drama or awkwardness between the two. While the second half may falter slightly, the movie never ceases to be a delight with great performances from all involved. The beautiful, Oscar-winning score from Georges Delerue fills your heart with the natural rush of joy you get from a new relationship. The film also boasts gorgeous cinematography by Pierre-William Glenn, who artfully captures the beauty of France and Italy throughout the movie. A Little Romance is a journey full of joy and whimsy that is good for the soul.
Video Quality
Warner Archives brings the film to Blu-Ray with a brand new 1080p transfer sourced from a 2K scan of the interpositive. The resulting image is nothing short of stunning as the disc beautifully showcases the European scenery. The Blu-Ray disc boasts a very natural filmic appearance free from any damage, compression artifacts or edge enhancement. When compared to the trailer present on the disc, you can see the world of difference this new transfer delivers for this movie.
Audio Quality
Warner Archives also delivers an excellent sounding DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that should please fans. The Oscar-winning score soars out of the speakers without ever overpowering the dialogue, which remains crisp and clear throughout. Everything is mixed evenly here with everything sounding lively and natural. The disc also includes optional English (SDH) subtitles.
Special Features
- Theatrical Trailer: The original three minute theatrical trailer is the lone special included here. This gives away way too much of the plot so it is recommended that this is viewed only after you have seen the film.
Final Thoughts
A Little Romance is the type of heartwarming romantic comedy that studios do not make nearly enough these days. Diane Lane and Thelonious Bernard are incredibly engaging as the young couple, and Laurence Olivier turns in a fine performance in a supporting role. Warner Archives have rescued this wonderful movie by reintroducing it to a modern audience with a top-notch audio and visual presentation. If you are looking for something to warm your heart, you owe it to yourself to pick up this disc. Highly Recommended.
A Little Romance can be purchased directly through Warner Archive or various other online retailers.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
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Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
