Film Review: The End of The Affair
The End of the Affair is based on a novel by author Graham Greene. The movie was released in and stars Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore.
The movie begins with the voice over narration of Ralph Fiennes as novelist Maurice Bendrix. If you could not guess from the title, the first line of narration lets the audience know that however the story unfolds, it is going to end badly.
“This is a diary of hate,” says the narrator. Anytime a narrative whether film or book tips its hand in this way, you know the point of the film is not simply to reach the end, but to explore the how and why. Any writer can tell you that it is a difficult thing to do well.
Next, there is a flash of the chance meeting which inspired the start of Maurice’s diary of hate. Henry, played by Stephen Rea, is the husband of Maurice’s ex-mistress, Sarah, played by Julianne Moore. Maurice sees him out for a walk on a rainy night without an umbrella, and offers to accompany Henry home in order to afford shelter. Maurice becomes obsessed with Sarah all over again and arranges to have her followed. At this point the film flashes back to the beginning of the affair. Maurice is critical of Henry’s conventional behavior and in the performance there is a weird
cattiness in the attitudes and comments about Henry. This reveals his jealous tendencies even before they become a problem in the relationship.
The film is disturbing almost before anything happens, which I credit to the actor’s performances and the introduction of private detectives less than twenty minutes into the film. The film flashes frequently between past and present storylines and depends on the voice over narration to smooth the transitions. The major themes of the film are jealousy and deception and how these things overpower emotions of love.
The main character, Maurice, is not an easy man to like, which is part of what may make this film difficult for some audiences. He is, however, fascinating to watch.
The End of the Affair is a dark and brooding drama which could easily have fallen flat. It is a film that walks a very fine line, and manages to succeed.
