Review of Brief Encounter (1945) by Eric F — 18 Jul 2009

"Brief Encounter" is based on "Still Life", a one-act play play by Noel Coward, and it was the first major success from David Lean, who would go on to direct such epics as "The Bridge on the River Kwai" and "Lawrence of Arabia". It's premise is not entirely foreign today, nor must it have been at the time, as forbidden love affairs are a staple of storytelling all across the world. But it's the wonderfully executed black-and-white cinematography, beautiful locations, and unforgettable performance by the two leads (Celia Johnson in particular) that make "Brief Encounter" the success it is.

Alec Harvey (Trevor Howard) and Laura Jesson (Celia Johnson) are both happily married with children. Every Thursday, they go to town for familiar and mundane business. One day, at a train station, Laura gets a bit of dirt in her eye. Alec, a doctor, notices her struggles and helps her remove it. The two exchange well wishes and farewells, but when they meet once again not long thereafter, a casual friendship starts.

Wonderfully illustrating the transformation of friendship into love is the motion pictures playing at the cinema. When Alec and Laura see a trailer for a film called "Flames of Passion", they react with excitement. However, when they accompany each other to the film, it's quite a bore compared to the passion between themselves. The couple, besides going to the theater, embarks on a number of activities which have become cliches of the genre - from romantic rides in a gondola, to the opera, to a walk through the beautiful country-side.

I recall an episode of the Wonder Years I saw when I was young, which i've since learned is called "Summer Song". In it, Kevin falls in love with an older woman on vacation, but their relationship is cut short when she must leave prematurely. My young mind, a newly christened romantic, would lead me to fall in love with a new woman on every family vacation.

"Brief Encounter" follows a similar journey, and although it's a bit of a shameless cliched melodrama, the subject matter of the ideal relationship cut short by responsibilities is never less than powerful when done right. It's both an illustration of the struggle for freedom in a repressive society, a criticism of the "stability" of unfulfilling marriages, and a reality check for romantic dreamers. It's a tragedy, but the sureness of the performances by Howard and Johnson, as well as the exquisite imagery, will certainly bring a smile to your face.