For me, it has to be, without a question of a doubt, Brief Encounter. This movie isn’t even a modern one. It was released in 1945 and directed by David Lean, starring fine English actors, Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard.
Plot:
Laura Jessen, a married woman, takes a trip into Milford every Thursday. She comes from a middle-class background and on this particular day, shops then goes to the movies. It appears to be her weekly treat.
One Thursday, as she is waiting for her train [it was steam back then of course], a piece of grit blows into her eye and she encounters the debonair doctor, Alec Harvey, who kindly removes it for her.
She thinks no more of their encounter, but literally bumps into him again on one of her trips when he shares her table at a restaurant. They end up going to the cinema together and their romance flourishes.
She knows this is wrong and both of them are torn.
It’s not a happy ending for either of them really, but on the other hand, they end up doing the right thing for the sake of their respective families.
I love this movie as it’s so atmospheric. The film was shot during the winter months when the days were short and the nights were long. Images like the couple’s shadow [as they are in a passionate clinch] reflected on the brick walls of the underground tunnels leading to the station and the steam from the trains provides a setting that becomes a character in the movie itself.
The viewer can practically sense the moment Laura falls for Alec when they are chatting at the station cafe about his research work. The way she searches his face with her eyes.
There is no sex in this film, although it almost happens when he takes her back to his friend’s apartment, but they are disturbed. It is then, Laura becomes aware of the sordiness, not of their love, but of the postion they are both in sneaking around.
I never get fed up of this film, I’ve watched it many times and still see something new in it each time.
View movie trailer here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Il8B6E9FzSE
View clip from Brief Encounter here [spoiler warning — contains end of film] :
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hubyFqSUaGA&mode=related&search=
So, the question I’m asking is, what’s your favourite romance movie and why?
Lynette Rees
Return to Winter and It Happened One Summer, coming soon to The Wild Rose Press
http://silverlady00.tripod.com
6 comments:
"When Harry Met Sally" is near the top, though I suppose it's not really a traditional romance. Still, it has great lines and great characters, and it examines long-lasting love built on friendship.
I love that movie, too! I really like Meg Ryan movies such as "You've Got Mail" and "Sleepless in Seattle".
Lynette
"While You Were Sleeping" and "Ever After" are two movies I watch over and over and over...
I’ll have to check those two out, Marianne. I like trying new movies, especially when they come highly recommended!
Lynette
Groundhog Day. This was a movie about second chances--and third, and forth. This man would do anything for love!
Tarah
Wow, Tara! That's a great movie. Isn't it funny how movies can affect us so much so that we start to use the lingo? I have often said to my husband since watching that film since it first came out, "I'm having a groundhog day today!" Meaning of course, I feel I am do the same thing over and over.
Lynette
Post a Comment