Watch The End of the Affair
- Approved
- 1955
- 1 hr 46 min
-
6.6 (1,493)
The End of the Affair is a 1955 romantic drama film directed by Edward Dmytryk and starring Deborah Kerr, Van Johnson, and John Mills. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Graham Greene. Set in London during World War II, the film revolves around the passionate love affair between Maurice Bendrix (Van Johnson), a writer, and Sarah Miles (Deborah Kerr), the wife of a civil servant, Henry Miles (Peter Cushing). The two lovers embark on a torrid love affair, but their relationship is cut short when Sarah abruptly ends things with Maurice without any explanation. Devastated and angry, Maurice tries to move on with his life and even begins a new relationship with Henry's assistant, but he is unable to forget Sarah and becomes obsessed with finding out the reason for her sudden departure.
The movie is told in flashbacks by Maurice who is trying to come to grips with the end of his affair with Sarah. The story is divided into two parts, each focusing on one half of the affair. In the first half, the audience sees the passionate and intimate relationship between Sarah and Maurice as they sneak around London to spend time together. They are both deeply in love and their relationship is all-consuming, but it is also fraught with jealousy and possessiveness. Sarah, who is deeply religious, is conflicted between her love for Maurice and her guilt for betraying her husband.
In the second half of the film, Maurice is shown after the end of his affair, struggling to come to terms with his loss. He is consumed with jealousy and becomes obsessed with Sarah, hiring a private detective (Mills) to follow her and find out what she is doing. As he delves deeper into her life, Maurice discovers a shocking secret about Sarah that changes everything he thought he knew about her.
The End of the Affair is a beautifully crafted movie that explores the themes of love, jealousy, and betrayal in a nuanced and complex way. The film is a faithful adaptation of Graham Greene's novel and captures the emotional intensity of the story perfectly. The three leads give excellent performances, with Deborah Kerr delivering a particularly powerful and nuanced portrayal of Sarah. Kerr is able to convey the depth of Sarah's conflicting emotions and beliefs, making her a sympathetic and complex character.
The movie is shot in black and white, giving it a timeless feel, and the cinematography is stunning. The film's use of shadows and light creates a moody and atmospheric tone that mirrors the emotional turmoil of the characters. The score by Benjamin Frankel is also memorable, evoking the mood of the film perfectly.
The End of the Affair is a movie that lingers long after the credits roll. It is a poignant and powerful exploration of the complexity of human relationships and the enduring power of love. The film is a true classic of the romantic drama genre and is a must-see for anyone who appreciates powerful storytelling and nuanced character development.
The End of the Affair is a 1955 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.