Sleepless in Seattle 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Sleepless in Seattle 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown February 15, 2024

The Columbia Classics Collection: Volume 4 box set includes award winners, critical darlings and fan favorites alike: His Girl Friday (1940), a sharply scripted and surprisingly timely commentary on the "dark ages of the newspaper game"; Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), a brilliantly awkward clash-of-cultures influence on so many films that represents one of the finest unpacking of everyday race relations in 1960s cinema; Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), a heartbreaking dramatization of the impact and collateral damage of divorce and custody battles; Starman (1984), an oft-forgotten gem of a romantic sci-fi adventure that puts a spin on E.T.; Sleepless in Seattle (1993), which needs no introduction to anyone who was coming of age or searching for love in the '90s; and Punch-Drunk Love (2002), simultaneously one of Paul Thomas Anderson and Adam Sandler's best, forcing mental health, romance and social anxiety to collide in a dramedy for the ages.

After the death of his wife, Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) moves to Seattle with his son, Jonah (Ross Malinger). When Jonah calls in to a talk-radio program to find a new wife for his father, Sam grudgingly gets on the line to discuss his feelings. Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), a reporter in Baltimore, hears Sam speak and falls for him, even though she is engaged. Unsure where it will lead, she writes Sam a letter asking him to meet her at the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day.

Click here to read Martin Liebman's 2018 review of the film, which he says boasts "brilliant construction" that "eschews genre convention and settles for parallel character stories playing with notions of fate with incredible depth and power." Adding, "Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan shine as the star-crossed lovers that are separated by distance but drawn together by destiny."

Sleepless in Seattle 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Sleepless in Seattle is the relative dud of the Columbia Classics Collection: Volume 4 box set. While it is conceivably more faithful to the original elements than other Blu-ray editions (which I have no way of verifying one way or the other), its 4K presentation is darker, dimmer and altogether less vibrant than previous releases I have on hand. The film was never a home video stunner but I hoped Sony's new transfer would right that trend. Instead, low-lit scenes are heavy and almost ominous, which clashes with the romantic comedy's light, buoyant tone. Faces and skin are often oversaturated too, cursed with a reddish ruddiness that isn't as lifelike as it seems it should be. Daylight exteriors and brighter interiors fare better, but still the darker coloring persists. Ignoring that, there's plenty to enjoy. A faint veneer of grain is consistent and unobtrusive, detail is actually quite good (even if crush abounds and delineation suffers), edge definition is clean and natural, and fine textures are fairly exacting. Stronger primaries still pop despite the contrast leveling, and the encode itself is free of any errant issues like banding or artifacting. Had the brightness and contrast been increased, the image would be altogether more pleasing to the eye and befitting the film's airiness. Would that have flown in the face of intention? Perhaps, which begs the question: is a more attractive image the way to go in some circumstances? I leave that to you to debate in the forum. Thankfully, the film's standard Blu-ray is included. While it doesn't offer the boost in clarity of the 4K disc and its technical merits bring it to the same video score, its the version that suits my personal aesthetic tastes. Options, options.

Sleepless in Seattle 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Sleepless in Seattle's Dolby Atmos track offers the least of the Volume 4 upgrades, falling more in line with the film's previously released lossless mixes than anything more wow-worthy. Still, that's hardly a detriment, as dialogue is intelligible and carefully prioritized, Marc Shaiman's score is suitably light and cheerful, and dynamics are notable. LFE output is withdrawn but not hesitant, but then again, Sleepless isn't exactly a low-end powerhouse to begin with. Likewise, rear and surround activity is reserved but assertive when called upon, particularly when our lovelorn couple venture into crowded streets, busy crowds or other more populated locales. The resulting soundfield is reasonably immersive, though it trends toward being front-heavy; never what you want from an Atmos track. Even so, the film's original sound design has been honored and, barring a more aggressive overhaul and remix, what we get delivers a solid, sometimes great experience.

Sleepless in Seattle 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentaries - Two audio commentaries are included on the film's standard Blu-ray disc: a new 30th anniversary track with Karen Han and David Sims, and a previously released commentary with Nora and Delia Ephron.

• A Conversation on Sleepless in Seattle (HD, 4 minutes) - Though newly produced, this briefest of brief, clip-heavy conversation between Gary Foster and Meg Ryan doesn't offer much insight into the film, serving more as an introduction than a restrospective.

• Love in the Movies (SD, 13 minutes) - An archival Sleepless featurette.

• Deleted Scenes (SD, 6 minutes) - Four scenes are included: "Opening Gifts", "Guests at the Door", "Fishing" and "Airport". They're cute but were wisely cut pacing problems exorcised from the film.

• Music Video (SD, 4 minutes) - "When I Fall In Love".

• Theatrical Trailer

Sleepless in Seattle 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Sleepless in Seattle's love by radio and phone is a quaint return to the technology of yesteryear, before internet dating made Sam and Annie's romance positively antiquated. Yet love is love, and Sleepless has a great little love story to tell, full of loss, grief, renewal and genuine laughs. Sony's 4K release isn't quite up to snuff (blame its so-so video presentation), but a solid Atmos track and selection of extras (including a new 30th anniversary commentary) adds value.