Film Review
Edward Dmytryk makes a reasonable fist at adapting
The End of the Affair, Graham
Greene's powerful novel of romantic jealousy and spiritual
awakening. Unfortunately, his best efforts are somewhat
compromised by a lacklustre performance from its male lead, Van
Johnson, and a far too literal and simplistic interpretation of the
novel's meaning. What seems, on the pages of Greene's complex and
profound novel, to be a plausible struggle between desire and faith is
reduced to a fumbling melodrama that fails to convince anyone.
Far from being caught in an existentialist quagmire, Deborah Kerr
merely looks like she is afflicted with a psychological strain of St
Vitus's Dance, confused and erratic, more deluded than noble. For
all its sins,
The End of the Affair
is an engaging film, attractively shot in a suitably moody chiaroscuro
similar to that seen in Dmytryk's previous film noir offerings.
The best performances are supplied by the supporting players, John
Mills, Peter Cushing and Michael Goodliffe, all superb and far more
welcome than the hysterical Kerr and the passionless Johnson.
Even though it misses the point of Greene's novel, this film is more
substantial and likeable than Neil Jordan's glossy 1999 remake.
© James Travers 2010
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Next Edward Dmytryk film:
The Left Hand of God (1955)
Film Synopsis
During the darkest days of WWII, writer Maurice Bendrix is gathering
material for a book on Britain's civil servants. One of
his subjects is Henry Miles, a senior government official whose wife Sarah holds an immediate
fascination for Bendrix. Within no time, Sarah and Maurice are
pursuing a passionate love affair. During one of their night time
trysts, Bendrix's apartment is hit by a bomb. Fearing that her
lover may be dead, Sarah makes a solemn promise.
Miraculously, Bendrix is unharmed but he is surprised when Sarah
suddenly decides to leave him. Unable to account for why Sarah
should end their affair so abruptly, the writer hires a private
detective to confirm his suspicions, that she has found a new
lover. What he discovers is so much more fantastic...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.