Review of Brief Encounter (1945) by Michael C — 02 Nov 2009
A far cry from the sprawling, masterful epics that David Lean would later direct (Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia), this film is nevertheless a really good film, and might be as artistically important as those future pictures (though I prefer his epics more).
A film about an affair between two people that is never consummated, but carries the same guilt and shame, it is impeccably acted for the most part (Celia Johnson in particular shines in the role of the female involved in the affair) and the black and white photography is gorgeous, especially the scene where the young housewife is tearfully running through the rain in the streets.
The male in the film (Trevor Howard) isn't as impressive, but not because he wasn't good in his role, but the film is primarily from the perspective of the woman. Which in a way is terrific: we feel for her personal torment at the deceptive act she has placed herself in, and she makes it apparent that the sin in not being faithful is not purely physical, but emotional as well.
A great early film from Lean and a British classic.
This review of Brief Encounter (1945) was written by Michael C on 02 Nov 2009.
Brief Encounter has generally received very positive reviews.
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