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The End of the Affair (2-Dec-1999)
Director: Neil Jordan Writer: Neil Jordan From novel: The End of the Affair by Graham Greene Music Composed and Conducted by: Michael Nyman Producers: Stephen Wooley; Neil Jordan Keywords: Romantic Drama
CAST | Ralph Fiennes | ... Maurice Bendrix | | Stephen Rea | ... Henry Miles | | Julianne Moore | ... Sarah Miles | | Heather Jay Jones | ... Henry's Maid | | James Bolam | ... Mr. Savage | | Ian Hart | ... Mr. Parkis | | Samuel Bould | ... Lance Parkis | | Cyril Shaps | ... Waiter | | Penny Morrell | ... Bendrix' Landlady | | Simon Turner | ... Dr. Gilbert | | Jason Isaacs | ... Fr. Smythe | | Deborah Findlay | ... Miss Smythe | | Nicholas Hewetson | ... Chief Warden | | Jack McKenzie | ... Chief Engineer |
REVIEWS Review by Walter Frith (posted on 9-Jun-2007) Film maker Neil Jordan made one of the most controversial movies of the
1990's. 1992's 'The Crying Game' had a secret revealed by the now late
great former movie critic Gene Siskel and Siskel was heavily criticized
for revealing it. He said that to make his point he felt it was
necessary to give away the secret that was shocking (and in some cases
offensive) to many people. Jordan ended up winning an Oscar for the
film's original screenplay and stunningly original it was, filled with
observations about the IRA, its volunteers and the rash political and
sexual overtones of the film's characters. Jordan seemed surprised by
winning an Oscar and had to rush up on stage after a quick trip back
from the men's room. Seven years later, Neil Jordan's 'The End of the
Affair' feels like you bought an old house, cleaned it out and in the
process, found and read the callous diary of an adulteress and you
picture it with all of its soap opera type qualities from stories
you've read about and seen a thousand times. This isn't such a bad
thing but the movie's reasoning that it is great film making is a
legend in its own mind. Actor Ralph Fiennes was said to be very upset
with the adult rating the film received but that rating is justified as
this movie displays acts of sex, violence and repressed feelings taken
during and after World War II. The story of 'The End of the Affair' is
based on an early 1950's novel by Graham Greene, allegedly about his
own experiences during WW II. Stephen Rea is a government member named
Henry Miles and is married to Sarah (Julianne Moore). Writer Maurice
Bendix (Ralph Fiennes) is her lover. The Catholic faith is used as a
metaphor for the story's hidden range of ideas and any film that
combines a dash of religion and heavy doses of adultery during the
backdrop of history's darkest time certainly deserves a look. It's just
unfortunate that this film tries to use repetition to make a point but
makes it in a rather tiresome fashion. The movie has a point of view
from its main characters that is told separately by each one and the
perilous, if perhaps co-incidental fate that comes to one of them, is
rather pretentious and smells like a theme from the golden age of
cinema, unsuitable for many of today's movie buffs, but fitting for
others at the same time. 'The End of the Affair' may be too
melodramatic for some. It was for me. It had me restlessly shifting in
my seat at about half way through but I found it very authentic
looking. There are three key scenes that glow with authenticity. The
beginning where two of the male leads meet on a dark and rainy English
night is ripe with authenticity. The indoor scene at the Miles'
residence is lavishly decorated with authentic props for its era. There
is also a diner scene where director of photography Roger Pratt takes
cues from Neil Jordan and moves his camera to play out the reeling
emotions the two lovers have in wrestling with their conscience. What
is disappointing about the film is the performance of Ralph Fiennes.
His turns in 1993's 'Schindler's List' which brought him instant fame
and stature in motion pictures and a well deserved Oscar nomination,
along with his dry and coldly laced Oscar nominated performance in 'The
English Patient' seem so memorable compared to his performance here. I
don't want to be too hard on him because he is one of the best in the
business but he just seems to be saying his lines with all the feelings
of a daytime soap opera actor. The same can be said for Julianne Moore.
Her performance is better but is still one character we've seen played
over and over again with many of the similar qualities of past
adulteresses. Neil Jordan's direction is inventive at times, stiff at
times and too heavy handed in many places for me to recommend it but
there is an old saying that goes: "The only thing new is the history
you don't know". 'The End of the Affair' isn't a new theme, it's a film
with a historical past seen too often in motion pictures and is wearing
thin at the start of a new century. Visit FILM FOLLOW-UP by Walter Frith
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