The End of the Affair
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Movie Reviews of The End of the Affair
Movie Review: torrid romance set in war-ravaged london
Summary: 5 Stars
This excellent movie -- released in 1999 and based on the slim novel by Graham Greene published in 1951 -- wholly baptizes contemporary viewers into the cultural context of a time and place that nowadays exists only in the memories of those who were of age during WWII.
But even those of us who for the first time encounter Greene's works (whether his novels or the several popular movies based on them) in the twenty-first century can thank God for these reality-saturated tales, which, so much like the stories of the Old Testament, demonstrate that the God who created the universe is not, after all, a prissy protestant church lady, unwilling to soil white gloves in gripping encounters with messy, irrational humans.
Graham, who converted to Roman Catholicism as an adult, seems in the stories he tells to be well acquainted with a God who is not too nice for humanity -- not even for the foremost of sinners, including a cynical best-selling and critically acclaimed novelist.
In this latest cinematic interpretation of Greene's novel of forbidden love, understated Ralph Fiennes plays the lonely writer who stumbles unwittingly and unwillingly into a relationship with the God of the Bible when he has an extramarital affair with a believer. Beautiful Julianne Moore is the tormented adultress, whose repentance, while it lasts, transforms those around her.
Movie Review: MASTERPIECE
Summary: 5 Stars
Director Neil Jordan is a mystic. His filmography clearly shows that he's not interested in the themes usually treated by his fellow companions. From THE COMPANY OF WOLVES to IN DREAMS and INTERVIEW OF A VAMPIRE, Neil Jordan's movies explore the fascinating territory of our intimate fears and fantasies. His last movie THE END OF THE AFFAIR, though not a film dedicated to one of our contemporary myths, is a movie about faith and belief. Ralph Fiennes will not believe in Julianne Moore's exclusive love until he has the written proof of it right in front of his eyes. Adapted from a novel of Graham Greene and written for the screen by Neil Jordan, THE END OF THE AFFAIR is one of the three best movies I have seen this year so far. Everything in this film is perfect : the musical score, the production design and the actors deserve our admiration. One enters pretty easily in THE END OF THE AFFAIR but it's not so easy to leave it. For days, the tragic love story of Bentrix and Sarah will haunt your dreams.
So if you haven't seen this movie yet, rent it and, believe me, you will buy it in no time. This is a movie to keep.
Bonus features include the trailer of the movie as well as the trailer of James Ivory's THE REMAINS OF THE DAY, another superb movie, filmographies, a featurette and two commentaries recorded by Neil Jordan and Julianne Moore.
A DVD for your library.
Movie Review: A superlative film in every way
Summary: 5 Stars
Neil Jordon, the director, remarked 'END OF THE AFFAIR is about England and rain and God.' His adaptation of what is perhaps Graham Greene's greatest (and most autobiographical) novel is one of the moving depictions of God and faith that can be found in any motion picture. The fact the movie can grapple with God and faith in such a moving way, and at the same time be such an adult, ambiguous and intelligent feature makes it even more profound. The movie is remarkably intelligent. It also has an intricate time shifting structure that is so well crafted one doesn't even give a thought as to just how difficult a feat Jordon pulled of narratively. The film also works as a great mystery: Why did Julianne Moore's character break off her affair with her lover, and who is the mysterious third man she is seeing and Ralph Fiennes hates so much? Top notch in every regard, from the filmmaking, the beautiful score, and three terrific performances from Moore, Fiennes and Stephen Rea (particularly good.) It is rather awe inspiring to note that Moore, who here plays a good woman who gradually becomes a saint, filmed this movie back to back with MAGNOLIA, where she plays such a ravaged, crazed woman completely the opposite from the character in this movie. She truly has become of of the greatest actresses of our time.Movie Review: "Grief and disappointment are like hate: they make men ugly with self-pity and bitterness. And how selfish they make us too"
Summary: 5 Stars
Based on the 1951 Catholic novel by Graham Greene that is a tale of his own love affair with Catherine Walston, this movie describes love, obsession, jealousy and eventually examines God's existence.
Maurice Bendrix is a writer, who falls in love with Sarah, a married woman, during World War II. She ends their love affair mysteriously after an incident, in which Maurice nearly dies. Maurice writes a personal story of hate and jealousy. Through flash back techniques, intense loving and passionate memories, great performances and enchanting music, the audience discovers along with Maurice the reason Sarah ended their affair.
Directed by Irish director Neil Jordan, who also wrote the screen play; the trio of Ralph Fiennes, Julian Moore, and Stephen Rea deliver outstanding performances.
Since 1999, this movie remains one of my favorites. Maurice's personal thoughts and struggle, the acknowledgment of God through man's weakness and desires was a creative idea of genius. I still remember Maurice's words:" God, you used my hate to win my acknowledgment. Take care of Sarah and Henry but please leave me alone". Great depiction of human's struggle with faith, sin, love and life.
A final word of caution: this movie might be beyond some people's limited mental capacity.
Movie Review: A film about guilt, pleasure, and guilty pleasure...
Summary: 5 Stars
Coming from the director of "The Crying Game", it is no great shock that "The End of The Affair" takes a deep look into human emotions, such as love, guilt, and all possible combinations of these two words: love with guilt, love out of guilt, etc.This film is a story of three, very different but emotionally interdependent people, two of whom happened to be married to one another. Some people might argue that it is mostly a story about two lovers and their erotic passion for each other. But this is not exactly right. While the three characters happen to be a husband, a wife, and a lover, it is not a typical "love triangle". Also, on top of that, these three people have to deal with religion, faith, and God himself.
I'd say, if you remember Stephen Rea in "The Crying Game", look for the deep connection between his role there and here, in "The End of The Affair".
Although "The End of the Affair" is a bit similar to "The English Patient" (which I absolutely love, I might add), it is much more complex. In order to fully appreciate this film, you have to be older, married (at some point in your life), and emotionally involved. If you are, then, you will enjoy the story.