The Audrey Hepburn Story
Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment / 2000 / 134 Minutes / Not Rated
Street date: July 11, 2000
Life just isn't fair, especially for Jennifer Love Hewitt. The naysayers have it out for her, and that is just the way it is. At first nothing but that "cute little girl" from TV's Party Of Five, no one seemed to notice her much and the critics left her alone. But soon the typhoon of talent that is Jennifer would actually have the nerve (as if!) to try and break out of the TV ensemble ghetto she had been imprisoned in, and that is when the trouble started. Just like Carrie White, they all began to laugh at her."Who does this no-talent little TV tart think she is, trying to have a movie career? She'll fall flat on her face and that will be that!" But all I have to say to that is he who laughs first, laughs last!

Because - take that critics! - Jennifer sure has shown you over the last few years! After her astonishing motion picture debut in House Arrest, she would then go on to star in the modest, low-budget slasher sleeper I Know What You Did Last Summer. Jennifer's ample talents helped scare up over $70 million in box office receipts, and meanwhile "Party Of Five" continued to move up in the ratings. Then came her sensitive, insightful performance (cast against type, no less) as the teen beauty queen in Can't Hardly wait. It seemed after just a few short years, Jennifer was set to own Hollywood. Hewitt + box office = POWER!

But just when her star was threatening to burn too bright, she fooled the critics with a carefully orchestrated move of monumental brilliance. Before she could get too popular and therefore force a backlash, she starred in the little-seen indie The Suburbans and the failed sequel I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. Perfect - she played it smart and hibernated for a brief period, then formed her own production company and began to plot her greatest triumph yet: The Audrey Hepburn Story.

You see, I'm here to tell you that you must not underestimate the power of Jennifer Love Hewitt. Who other starlet would dare to not only cast herself as one of the most beloved actresses of our time, but at the tender age of 23 produce it all on her own? Would Mary Kate & Ashley be able to pull off The Helen Keller Story? Could Tina Yothers stage a triumphant comeback in Katherine Hepburn: My Life As A Monument? I think NOT! Who else but Jennifer could portray a Hollywood icon and earn rave reviews from TV Guide? "Poised, graceful, elegant!" they gushed. If TV Guide loved her, how can she be denied? Is TV Guide ever wrong!?!?

But, I'm sure there are still naysayers out there that just don't get it. For that, I feel sorry for you. There's a reason Jennifer is the only Party Of Five alum to get her own series, and it is because she is a SCREEN GODDESS! Mark my words, Time Of Your Life is not the last we have heard of Ms. Hewitt. Perhaps you're wondering why I haven't bothered to talk about The Audrey Hepburn Story, its plot, acting or direction, and that's because I'm here to tell you that it doesn't matter. Jennifer Love Hewitt is in it, what else do you need to know!?

Video: How Does The Disc Look?

Although The Audrey Hepburn Story was a made-for-TV movie, TV is changing and as such this was filmed with a high-definition aspect ratio in mind. The DVD contains the film in a 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation. The only flaw I could find in the image is its occasional softer than normal appearance, which can at times haze out fine detail. This does, every so now and then, benefit the film as it is itself a period film with high gloss, soft filtered aspirations. Aside from that, everything is beautiful. Colors are vibrant with excellent stability that never succumbs to any obvious compression artifacting. Blacks are also deep and pure with low lighting detail that steps up to the challenge more than capably. Jennifer has never looked so beautiful!

Audio: How Does the Disc Sound?

I actually really enjoyed the English 2.0 surround track. While it is definitely limited in its scope, I found the soundtrack to sound rich and full when creatively engaged. Stereo effects were surprisingly more frequent than I was expecting with decent directionality and capable fidelity. Surrounds are also put to subtle, but effective use with the music score and other occasional effects. Dialog is stable in the center channel with excellent intelligibility and without a hint of distortion. This isn't a flashy soundtrack by any means, but it more than accomplishes its task. Sometimes it's nice to get back to basics with a good old-fashioned matrix surround soundtrack.

There are no alternate language tracks provided, but subtitling is available in English, French and Spanish. There are also English Closed Captions.

Supplements: What Goodies Are There?

A trailer section houses a TV promo for The Audrey Hepburn Story along with theatrical trailers for the additional "Love"ly titles Can't Hardly Wait and The Suburbans. A talent files selection is also included which wouldn't seem so ridiculous if it had more than just Jennifer Love Hewitt in it. Why not simply include a selection on the main special features page that says "Jennifer Love Hewitt" instead of this extra step that has to be taken?

Parting Thoughts

While this disc features a good anamorphic widescreen transfer and decent enough soundtrack, since it stars Jennifer Love Hewitt it doesn't matter what you think about the movie anyway. YOU MUST GIVE IN TO THE POWER OF JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT AND BUY THIS DISC NOW!

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DISC FEATURES

Specifications
- DVD-Video
- Single-Layer Disc
- Region 1

Aspect Ratio(s):
- 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen

Dolby Digital Formats:
- English 2.0 Surround

DTS Formats:
- None

PCM Formats:
- None

Subtitles/Captions:
- English Closed Captions
- English Subtitles
- French Subtitles
- Spanish Subtitles

Standard Features:
- Interactive Menus
- Scene Access

Supplements:
- Theatrical trailers

InterActual DVD-ROM Features:
- None

List Price:
- $24.95