Review of Brief Encounter (1945) by Gerardo R — 14 Aug 2012

An interesting story about simple people starting up an affair. The movie begins with the ending and flashes back with the wife as a narrator voice-over describing her feelings, thoughts and intentions as if she was confessing to her husband sitting across from her. At certain times, the narration seems to be too much and spoils the power of actions and subtlety. In that sense, the movie is a soul searching reflection by the wife and serves as a dialogue considering people's values, motivations and views of life. SPOILERS BELOW.

The main drive of the narrative is the inner struggle to remain faithful. In this respect the film is one of the most honest depictions of the dilemma. Is an affair a simple thing to have? Is it possible to love someone after seeing them once a week? Is the issue propriety over true love? Or is the subject matter love versus lust? What is an honest view of the married life? Is constant excitement necessary? This film raises a host of questions that challenge the viewer to delve deeply into the psychology of the matter. The film's (and maybe Coward's play) ability to avoid answering those questions makes the viewing a fascinating one. Some will see the beginnings of a sexual revolution that is necessary, while others might see the beginnings of an idealized view of marriage, love and sex that misled future generations.

The script's ability to remain open to interpretation is the main strength of the film. We see the main character struggle with fidelity and guilt in an age where discussions about love and sex were publicly taboo despite the knowledge people had of the many indiscretions that took place. In addition, the film has an honest depiction of two simple characters who are clueless about how to carry an affair and too clumsy to consummate their perceived love for each other. In the back of my mind I kept thinking that their once a week meeting left them fantasizing about each other for the rest of the week until their next meeting. The real driving force of their relationship was in the hopeful expectations and fantasies that each of them built up throughout the week. Despite their good relationships during the meeting days, I wondered how much of it was possible due to the distance and power of the mind throughout the rest of the week. There is one scene where we see Johnson's character fantasizing on her train ride back home.

The honest struggle and the difficulties of having a successful romantic and sexual affair make this a film that stands out from its contemporary depictions and even from future adaptations of the classic sin of infidelity. The ending is open to interpretation, but for me it symbolized the moment of unconditional forgiveness from the husband who has no clue about his wife's fantasy and the self-forgiveness from the wife after mentally "confessing" her indiscretions in the imaginary conversation with her husband.