Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

A Heart in Winter Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov December 5, 2022

Claude Sautet's ""Un Coeur en Hiver" a.k.a. "A Heart in Winter" (1992) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new audio commentary by critic Kat Ellinger and vintage trailer. In French, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

They have been partners for nearly two decades. Maxime (Andre Dussolier) oversees their business affairs and frequently travels. Stephane (Daniel Auteuil) runs their repair shop and seldom leaves town. Every violin that is handed to them for repair is released only when Stephane declares that it is ready to go back to its owner. In France, Maxime and Stephane have an impeccable reputation, but their clients come from all parts of Europe.

While having lunch in a busy restaurant, Maxime confesses to Stephane that he is getting ready to start a new chapter in his life. He has fallen in love with Camille (Emmenuelle Beart), a younger than him concert violinist, who will be visiting their repair shop. Stephane congratulates Maxime but notes that he is quite surprised to learn that his partner has kept his affair with Camille private. Soon after, as Maxime has predicted, Camille visits their repair shop and asks Stephane whether he could make an adjustment on her violin to improve clarity. Because in a few days Camille is supposed to begin recording in a studio with a few colleagues, the repair work must be done quickly. During the ensuing consultations, Camille gradually falls in love with Stephane but continues to meet Maxime as he renovates an older apartment that would be perfect for them to start a family. Unable to properly respond to Camille -- either by promptly terminating her interest in him or matching the unexpected intensity of her romantic feelings -- Stephane begins improvising and, in the process, destroys his relationship with Maxime. After Camille suffers a serious nervous breakdown, Stephane and Maxime agree to terminate their business as well.

Everything that makes French films different and great is on full display in Claude Sautet’s Un Coeur en Hiver (A Heart in Winter) -- intelligence and brilliant portrayal of human emotions, impeccable style and class, pitch-perfect acting and direction. However, what makes Un Coeur en Hiver truly special is how all of it is masterfully balanced. This is the difference that separates Un Coeur en Hiver from other very good French films as well.

The story that is told is not original and its progression is entirely predictable. (One could argue that the ending of Un Coeur en Hiver is not entirely predictable, but this would be a valid point only if one’s experience with French cinema is extremely limited. As is, the ending is very common for a French film). Naturally, all the excitement is produced by the depiction of the interactions between the three leads and the emotions that define them. This gives Un Coeur en Hiver a certain theatrical quality but does not transform it into a dry minimalistic film that denies its three leads the freedom to move and they end up sharing the same small place.

Deconstructing the emotions of the three leads is easy too, but placing them in a proper context is a bit trickier. Why? Because even a slight adjustment of the angle from which their interactions are observed immediately reveals counterarguments to their arguments that are just as logical. To be clear, Un Coeur en Hiver is not one of those borderline intimidating intellectual French films where countless “what if” scenarios are explored and ultimately the drama of their exploration replaces the drama that inspired them. In Un Coeur en Hiver, the three leads remain predictably flawed human beings but their interactions and actions reveal that just like in real life often there are multiple “right” ways of moving on. Isn’t this a perfect summation of real life? An ongoing cycle of always moving from one situation to another the “right” way.

However, instead of forcing one to accept its message -- as undoubtedly a Hollywood film would have with an utterly transparent and disappointing happy ending -- Un Coeur en Hiver ends with an invitation to review its drama and ponder whether its leads are in a better place because of it. Is it possible that they all made the right choices? And is it possible that they are all happier despite having repeatedly hurt each other?

A Heart in Winter Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.62:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Un Coeur en Hiver arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

The only other release of Un Coeur en Hiver that I have in my library is this DVD release which Kino Lorber produced in 2006. The Blu-ray release represents a massive upgrade in quality and makes it possible to experience the film in an entirely new way.

But the technical presentation isn't flawless. While delineation, clarity, and depth are pretty good, the remaster that was used to produce the Blu-ray release reveals very light traces of denoising. They do not create any serious anomalies that will negatively affect your viewing experience, but I must mention them because if in the future the film is redone in 4K and the new master does not have such surface corrections, the visuals will be pretty stunning. (You can see examples of the denoising adjustments in screencaptures #21 and 22). Also, there are multiple areas where black crush impacts existing detail(s), so the larger your screen is, the easier it will be for you to spot some of them. Color reproduction is excellent, but for obvious reasons, some of the indoor and darker/nighttime footage should have expanded ranges of supporting nuances. Image stability is very good. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

A Heart in Winter Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are three standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I viewed the film with the French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. I think that it is outstanding. While the film does not have any material that produces striking dynamic contrasts, there is plenty of music and notable nuances that are wonderfully reproduced. The dialog is always very clear, sharp, and easy to follow. The English translation is outstanding.

A Heart in Winter Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critic Kat Ellinger.

• Trailer - an original trailer for Un Coeur en Hiver. In French, with English subtitles. (2 min).

A Heart in Winter Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Some years ago, John Lennon said that life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. It is true. Claude Sautet's Un Coeur en Hiver offers a more elaborate variation of the same statement. It suggests that life is an ongoing cycle of moving from one situation to another the "right" way and discovering that there are always more than a few that make perfect sense. I love Un Coeur en Hiver and the more I revisit it, the more I discover in it to admire. Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release represents a very fine upgrade in quality over previous DVD releases of the film. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.