Watch An Almost Perfect Affair
- PG
- 1979
- 1 hr 33 min
-
5.3 (369)
An Almost Perfect Affair is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by Michael Ritchie, released in 1979. The film starred Keith Carradine, Monica Vitti, and Raf Vallone in the lead roles. The film takes place during the Cannes Film Festival in France, where an American filmmaker named Hal Raymond (Carradine) is attending to promote his latest movie.
The opening sequence presents the stunning and picturesque Cannes coast as the city prepares for the festival. Hal is initially portrayed as a self-assured and narcissistic man who thinks he's the best filmmaker around. He's also emotionally detached and has a history of superficial relationships with women. On the other hand, Maria Teresa aka Kitty (Vitti) is an Italian journalist covering the festival for a publication. She's a sophisticated and intelligent woman, who's capable of handling any situation she's thrown into.
The main storyline kicks off when Hal and Kitty cross paths in a chance encounter at a local café. Hal is attracted to her immediately, and they hit it off right away, even though Kitty finds him a little arrogant. Hal is so smitten with her that he invites Kitty to a private preview of his film that's showing later that day, which she accepts. However, in the screening, Hal is shocked to find out that his film's ending was accidentally cut off, and he's forced to show it later in the evening. Kitty decides to stay back, hoping to see the ending.
During their time together, Hal and Kitty's charming and witty banter make them endearing to the audience. However, as the night progresses, they realize they're surrounded by a host of other characters that disrupt their perfect affair. The film takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster as we see Hal and Kitty's budding romance face several hurdles, from the meddling festival organizers to Hal's ex-girlfriend, to the egotistical movie star who's also vying for Hal's attention.
The film's underlying theme is the power of self-discovery and growth, and both Hal and Kitty experience this. As they spend more time together, both discover certain vulnerabilities they were unaware of, which make them begin to question their lives' direction. Hal realizes he's been blindly chasing fame, rather than concentrating on his creativity or finding true love. Kitty begins to question her own beliefs about love, commitment, and what it means to be a feminist.
In terms of acting, Keith Carradine delivers a subtle yet engaging performance as Hal, the determined yet insecure filmmaker. Monica Vitti, meanwhile, is a delight to watch, with her effortless style and charm. The chemistry between the two leads is palpable and believable, making the audience root for their romance.
The film's scenic landscape, coupled with its upbeat music score, further adds to its charm, making it a feel-good movie that's sure to leave audiences with a smile on their faces. While it may come across as cheesy in parts, the film's comedic moments are genuinely funny, serving as a welcomed distraction from the film's more dramatic moments.
In conclusion, An Almost Perfect Affair, while not a critically acclaimed classic, is still an entertaining and engaging romantic-comedy that can easily be enjoyed by a broad audience demographic. Its portrayal of the Cannes Film Festival as a lively, vibrant, and sometimes unpredictable environment only adds to its appeal. It's a charming movie that can be enjoyed by any hopeless romantic or someone just looking for a good laugh.
An Almost Perfect Affair is a 1979 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.