Description

Sea of Love (1989) – Blu-ray (4K Restoration, Kino Lorber)

Format:
Blu-ray (1 BD-50 Disc)
Studio: Kino Lorber
Release Date: January 28, 2025 (United States)
Runtime: 113 minutes
Rating: R

Synopsis:
In Sea of Love, a gripping crime thriller directed by Harold Becker, Al Pacino stars as Frank Keller, a New York City detective on the brink of burnout. While investigating a string of murders targeting male newspaper personal ad users, Keller goes undercover, placing ads himself to bait the killer. His investigation takes a dangerous turn when he becomes romantically involved with Helen (Ellen Barkin), a seductive and mysterious woman who might be the prime suspect. As Keller’s passion and professional judgment collide, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, culminating in a suspenseful and emotionally charged climax. With standout performances from John Goodman, Richard Jenkins, and Michael Rooker, Sea of Love delivers a neo-noir experience full of tension, romance, and unexpected twists.

Blu-ray Disc – Special Features and Extras:
Audio Commentary by Harold Becker: Archival commentary featuring insights into the film’s production, locations, and Al Pacino’s performance.
Audio Commentary by Critics: New commentary by Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell, and Nathaniel Thompson discussing the film’s cultural impact and stylistic identity.
The Creation of Sea of Love (15 min): Archival featurette with producer Martin Bregman and director Harold Becker.
Deleted Scenes (7 min): Several deleted scenes, including comedic moments that add context to the characters.
Trailer One: Remastered U.S. trailer (3 min)
Trailer Two: Vintage U.S. trailer (2 min)
Blu-ray Disc – Technical Details:
Video:

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Resolution: 1080p (from a 4K Restoration)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Original Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1)
Audio:

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Subtitles:

English SDH
Playback:

2K Blu-ray: Region A (Locked)
Packaging:

Slipcover in original pressing
Blu-ray Disc – Technical Review:
Video Quality (5/5):

The 1080p transfer, sourced from the same 4K restoration as the Ultra HD disc, delivers excellent clarity, vibrancy, and depth.
The Blu-ray presentation maintains a natural film grain and rich colors, with no noticeable artifacts or compression issues.
Darker scenes retain excellent detail without crushing, and neon-lit sequences are visually striking.
Audio Quality (5/5):

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track offers immersive sound design and dynamic range.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track provides clear and well-balanced audio, preserving the original sound mix.
Special Features (3.5/5):

The audio commentaries and archival featurette offer valuable insights, while the deleted scenes and trailers add context and humor.
Overall (5/5):

With its impressive video and audio quality, comprehensive bonus features, and insightful commentaries, the Sea of Love Blu-ray is a must-have for both collectors and fans of crime thrillers.