The problem lies with some of Altman's original film choices. A lot of the film takes place in small bars and nightclubs, and the lighting and film stock don't allow very much depth of field and absolutely no attention to detail. There is definition, but it's not definitive. Flesh tones are handsome, but colors are generally muted. Outdoor scenes fare the best, which are bright and cheery.
Saturation is okay, with no bleeding.
Blacks are okay but not solid, while the original print is clean enough to provide for clear whites. No real compression artifacts to speak of. Surround Ample play in all of the sound fields, but nothing here suggests state of the art. Which is only fitting, considering that the film's original soundtrack was intended for mediocre theater sound systems. Dialogue mix is strong enough to support the various overlays, allowing us to pinpoint every word.