Okay, not really a forgotten film. But I bet many men have not seen it. And Phil had to admit at the end, it was a superb piece of cinema. Even if it was a love story. But a love story only the British could tell because of its restraint, its sense of honorable behavior, its dignity.
Two middle-aged people, both unsatisfied in some never stated way with their marriage, meet in a rail station around 1945. Beautifully shot, directed (David Lean) and acted, this is the love story where two people act honorably despite its cost. So sad. The intensity of unacted upon love may have never been equaled.
14 comments:
Oh, that is a classic film, Patti. Glad you mentioned it.
I'm a fan of David Lean's work. BRIEF ENCOUNTER is one of his best movies.
I've always been a big fan of BRIEF ENCOUNTER. As a matter of fact, almost exactly 7 years ago we saw the theatrical adaptation in New York, and then met Patti and Phil for dinner at Virgil's BBQ on 44th Street.
Wish we had come to the play with you!
It was a little different from the movie, as I vaguely remember, but pretty good.
I suppose the only comparable American movie would be the 1942 Bette Davis vehicle NOW VOYAGER, in that they would both be percieved as the ultimate example of what we now refer to as 'a womans film'.
I think that cigarette lighting scene started me smoking.
A fine film.
Interesting to see a David Lean film before he became solely interested in doing epics.
And Celia Johnson around twenty years later played the headmistress who was the disapproving antagonist of Maggie Smith's Jean Brodie in "The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie", for which Johnson picked up a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination.
I'm the above "Rick". (Rick Libott)
Welcome, Rick Libott!
One of my favorites. I liked RYAN's DAUGHTER but that is more of an epic.
Correction (second today): Celia Johnson was nominated for Best Actress for BRIEF ENCOUNTER. She was nominated for a BAFTA Award for THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE but not an Academy Award.
Oops. You're right, Jeff.
Actually I feel better: I had thought Johnson WAS Oscar nominated and personal favorite Pamela Franklin who was just as good--maybe better--was not.
(Rick Libott)
Good film, Patti, just too restrained for me. But it did get me thinking about those trains roaring through the station, bound to stay on their own tracks. Maybe I am reading too much into it. And, if you liked BRIEF ENCOUNTER, you may like SUMMERTIME, also directed by David Lean, with Katherine Hepburn, in Venice.
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