The transfer from Weinstein is progressive and anamorphic (original 2.35:1 aspect ratio) housed on a dual-layered disc coded for region 1 in the NTSC standard. The film has a lot of dark scenes that seem to translate well to the digital presentation. I didn't see this theatrically and can't pass judgment comparing the two but I strongly suspect this looks about as faithful as one could expect from a standard-definition DVD. I don't see any fiddling with the color scheme or digital boosting of any sort. It is expectantly super clean and basically I'd have to say this image is without any prominent flaws. Detail and contrast are both above average. I, obviously, haven't seen a 1080P transfer of this (one is already out in France and another coming in the UK) but at this stage I don't know that the film's visuals could extensively support the worthiness of a bump in that area. Anyway, I was very satisfied with this Weinstein disc presentation. 

The audio track is a 5.1 but the buoyancy is obviously limited by the amount of suffusion inherent in the track. Wong is one to add subtle touches and there were some present with some definite use, if minor, of the rear channels. The dialogue is supported with optional English (CC) or Spanish subtitles in a white font with black borders (see sample below). 

Supplements include a decent 15 minute 'Making of..' featurette with sit-down input from Wong, Jones and others. As an overview it adequately does the job with a few tidbits worth knowing. More interesting though was an almost 20 minute Q+A with the director. It's a pleasure to follow the path of his vision and some of the questions had a probing edge. Fans of Wong will certainly desire to view this although you most may wish to was much longer. Concluding the extras is a 2 minute trailer and two different Stills Galleries (Location Scout Photos and Production/Publicity Photos).

Solid - competent DVD release - the film is all Wong Kar-Wai's and nice to see him expanding his repertoire even further. Fans of his immensely popular In The Mood For Love may feel nostalgic to that work but this is hardly weaker - simply artistically different. Ravi Shankar's daughter (Norah Jones) seems to have the camera magnetism of a star and many will be keen to judge her themselves. My opinion is that this is very much worth seeing as long as you don't get your expectations too skewed to something 'previous' in the director's ouvre.

Gary W. Tooze