The End of the Affair
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.99 You Save: $6.00 (60%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.00 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of The End of the Affair
Movie Review: A triumph, despite the pace
Summary: 4 Stars
The original novel packs a real punch, and so does Neil Jordan's 1999 adaptation. Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore and Stephen Rea (playing the part magnificently, and with the perfect amount of pathos) are caught up in a strange menage-a-trois in Graham Greene's classic tale of love and jealousy. Michael Nyman's score sets the tone of the film, deftly blending tragedy with passion.There are a few lulls throughout the film where the pace slackens, but there are enough brilliant moments to redeem the film, making for an intriguing and moving cinematic experience.
Movie Review: A Woman of Her Word
Summary: 4 Stars
While this film did not hit me as hard (emotionally) as THE ENGLISH PATIENT, it sure gave me plenty to think about.
The cast and direction are first-rate. The story is well-told. It made me buy the novel and read it--and then wonder how much of the story really happened!
If you enjoy intelligent, challenging love stories told against historical backdrops, then check this movie out.
And be very careful what you ask God for.
Movie Review: Worth a look
Summary: 4 Stars
The Bottom Line:
The End of the Affair never moves at a terribly brisk pace but it's one of those rare films that's populated by real characters, not pre-set heroes and villains, and is all the better for it; if you like romantic films that aren't defined by formula and pratfalls, check out this adaptation of Graham Greene's 1951 novel.
3/4
Movie Review: Serviceable Yet Unremarkable Romantic Drama
Summary: 3 Stars
At first glance, "The End of the Affair" appears to have all the earmarks of a classic World War II romance in the spirit of "Casablanca". The film features the promise of an old-fashioned weepy love story and a superlative cast in the form of Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore, Stephen Rea, and Jason Isaacs. Fiennes plays Maurice Bendix, a novelist by trade who falls madly in love with Sarah (Moore), the wife of Henry Miles (Rea). As the title subtly suggests, this film takes the atypical route of sympathetically focusing on the adulterers, as opposed to the more familiar yarn of a spurned spouse seething. The film is based off a tale from legendary author Graham Greene (the man who wrote, among other classics, "The Third Man") and is the second adaptation of the book (after 1955's "The End of the Affair"). Unfortunately, the strong cast and classic premise are undermined by a tepid screenplay that never draws the viewer in. It's difficult to care much about Maurice or Sarah, not because they're adulterers or unlikeable, they're just not particularly interesting characters.
The story unfolds in flashback, with the film frequently alternating between past and present. This disjointed narrative is something of a conceit, as it gives the initial illusion that the rather pedestrian romance is something more complex. The film is well-edited, in the sense that it's not difficult to follow, but often the film will retread scenes from a slightly varied perspective. If executed carefully this can be a masterful technique, yet its use here is clumsy and ineffectual. It stalls the pacing of the film and begins to bore after awhile. There are copious love-making scenes between Maurice and Sarah which are amply amorous yet don't drive the narrative forward. Their relationship is devoid of any real pathos, appearing instead based purely on sex. In reality, I suppose that's a good enough reason for some, but it doesn't quite make intriguing material for a film. This clearly isn't the intention, yet no solid foundation for their relationship is ever established. In between the sex scenes are endless voiceovers, mostly from Maurice but also from Sarah, which constantly assure the audience that they are still entirely miserable. They're often detailed enough to highlight some subtle nuance of misery we might have missed along the way.
Even living in London during The Blitz, Maurice finds it a simple task to ignore the war. He muses to himself, early in the film, wondering how he could feel so peaceful while such a conflict was being waged. The audience has little wonder, however, as we bear witness to Maurice repeatedly having it off with the strikingly lovely Sarah in any number of finely appointed locations. Greene's novel was written from an overtly Catholic perspective, and God plays a major role in the second half of this film. The priest Sarah visits is portrayed by Isaacs, who despite the limited role provides ample gravitas. The wonderful cast aside, the standout star of this film is the consistently reliable composer Michael Nyman, who previously scored "The Piano" and "Gattaca". His work here is a fittingly passionate, sweeping score that serves as almost another character in the film. Ultimately "The End of the Affair" is a serviceable romance film, yet an entirely forgettable affair (with the notable exception of the score).
Movie Review: Love! Hate! Straight faces!
Summary: 3 Stars
Writer Maurice Bendrix (Ralph Fiennes) and married Sarah Miles (Julianne Moore) had a love affair for several years until she abruptly ended it. Two years later, Maurice meets her husband who suspects she is carrying on with someone; Maurice hires a private investigator to follow her, and falls in love with Sarah again.
This is probably a tear-jerking, steamy, and sentimental love story but I just didn't feel it. Fiennes, Moore and Stephen Rea, as Sarah's husband, play 95% of their scenes in slow-motion, with completely expressionless faces staring blankly into each other's eyes while their stoic voices recite passionate lines. I suppose it's meant to be very sophisticated and posh, but it seemed phony and empty to me. The character I liked best was Parkis, the private investigator, played by Ian Hart. (Note to Harry Potter fans: This movie has Professor Quirrell, Lucius Malfoy, and Voldemort all together!) Parkis was the one who tied up all the loose ends and was the only character who seemed emotionally open and honest. A nice subplot involving his son made me smile at the end, despite the vacuous love story.
The excellent WWII-period sets and costumes gave the movie a lot of atmosphere; it was the detached acting style that left me feeling nothing. Also, the story constantly switched from present to flashback making it a bit confusing and the addition of a miraculous, spiritual thread was unnecessary and awkward. I didn't connect with the characters or the love story; 2.5 stars.