The Passionate Friends (1949)
Directed by David Lean

Drama / Romance
aka: One Woman's Story

Film Review

Abstract picture representing The Passionate Friends (1949)
With this, his second romantic melodrama, David Lean presumably hoped to repeat the success of his earlier Brief Encounter (1945).  Although it has a narrative structure, plot and visual style that closely resemble that earlier film, The Passionate Friends fails to reproduce its brilliance and, whilst the film has some merit, it is far from being Lean's most inspired work.

The film is adapted from a 1913 novel of the same name by H.G. Wells, although with a number of very significant changes.  Screenwriter Eric Ambler completely overlooks the social and political content of the novel and merely takes the ill-fated romance, re-written to follow the narrative arc of Brief Encounter.   As several important elements of Wells's story are lost, the film ends up feeling somewhat superficial and contrived.  In particular, the rationale for Mary's reluctance to marry Steven is not satisfactorily explained in the film, and so the character lacks the immense tragic dimension that she has in the novel.

Regrettably, the failure of the screenplay isn't quite made up in other areas.  Guy Green's cinematography is attractive but doesn't have the genius of his earlier Lean films.  The lead performances are likewise acceptable without being great.  In her first appearance in a David Lean film, Ann Todd (who would shortly marry Lean) has difficulty making her character convincing and sympathetic - although, again, the screenplay is largely to blame for this.  The same goes for Trevor Howard, whose presence here is far more subdued than in Brief Encounter.  The only member of the cast to shine is Claude Rains, whose perfectly judged performance is just about the only thing in the film which conveys any real sense of conflict and emotional truth.  Without Rains, the film would have very little to commend it.
© James Travers 2008
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next David Lean film:
Madeleine (1950)

Film Synopsis

Through her marriage to a wealthy financier, Mary Justin has the freedom and comfort she has always yearned for, but her life is one that lacks emotional fulfilment.  On a visit to Switzerland she runs into an old friend, Steven Stratton, with whom she once had a passionate love affair, many years before her marriage.  Her meeting with Steven rekindles old memories of a friendship of the most beautiful kind.  If only they could begin again...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.


Film Credits

  • Director: David Lean
  • Script: H.G. Wells (novel), Eric Ambler, David Lean, Stanley Haynes
  • Cinematographer: Guy Green
  • Music: Richard Addinsell
  • Cast: Ann Todd (Mary Justin), Claude Rains (Howard Justin), Trevor Howard (Professor Steven Stratton), Betty Ann Davies (Miss Joan Layton), Isabel Dean (Pat Stratton), Arthur Howard (Smith - the Butler), Guido Lorraine (Hotel Manager), Marcel Poncin (Hall Porter), Natasha Sokolova (Chambermaid), Hélène Burls (Flowerwoman), Jean Serret (Emigration Official), Frances Waring (Charwoman), Wenda Rogerson (Bridge Guest), Helen Piers (1st Woman - Albert Hall), Ina Pelly (2nd Woman - Albert Hall), John Huson (1st Man - Albert Hall), John Unwin (2nd Man - Albert Hall), Max Earle (3rd Man - Albert Hall), Wilfrid Hyde-White (Lawyer)
  • Country: UK
  • Language: English
  • Support: Black and White
  • Runtime: 95 min
  • Aka: One Woman's Story

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