FATHER GEEK here with a look at THE END OF THE AFFAIR a new drama from the always interestingly Irish Neil Jordan. I love this director's work and BUTCHER BOY was in my Top 10 list for last year. I'm expecting great things from this his latest effort also...
If I'm gonna shell out the bucks to see repressed Brits moan over their Earl Grey about life and love, there had better be a damn good reason and, in the case of TEOTA, there was: Neil Jordan.
How can I describe my affinity for this man? He makes films the films that aspire me to be a filmmaker. From "Mona Lisa" to "The Butcher Boy," Jordan has both written and directed films that lure and seduce and audience until they think they know what's going to happen, then pulls the rug right out from them. If there is a linking thread between Jordan's films (not including early stuff he did for the money -- "High Spirits") it's the simple idea that everybody has secrets and when they're revealed, look out because everything you thought you knew about these people no longer applies and the drama intensifies a thousand fold.
I don't want to tell you the secret of TEOTA, just know that it's a doosie. I know that this sight is famous for it's spoilers, but as Slim Pickens said to the Japs in "1941," "You ain't gettin' shit out of me." But I wouldn't leave you with nothin', so here's my review:
Plot -- The film has one of the best opening lines I've ever heard, "This is a diary of hate." I love that!!! Everybody in the audience waiting for this romantic love story and this just throws them right off the bat. Brilliant! The film begins on a rainy night in London, 1946. Maurice Bendricks (Ralph Fiennes) has a chance encounter with Henry Miles (Stephen Rea), the husband of Sarah (Julianne Moore) with whom Maurice had an affair two-years previous. Maurice takes Henry home and runs into Sarah. He says nothing to her, he doesn't have to. We see that Maurice is still obsessed with Sarah and offers Henry to arrange to have her followed by a private detective to find out who she's been seeing on those long afternoon walks she now takes... That's all I can say without giving away the secret.
Acting -- Ralph Fiennes is at his BEST EVER. Forget "The English Patient." Forget "Quiz Show." Definitely forget "The Avengers." This Ralph's best since his introduction to the American audience in "Shindler's List." The man can do more in a scene without saying a word than most actors can pull off in a whole movie. His intensity, his charm, his ass, ladies, you get them all in this film. (More about the butt shot later.)
Julianne Moore can do no wrong. Even in crap films, she comes off looking good. It's not hard to believe that she has wrecked the two main male characters lives in this film. The woman glows. But looks are only half the package, like the greatest film actresses (Hepburn, Harlow, Streep), Moore combines beauty with brains. I'd venture to say she is the best actress working in film today and TEOTA cements it.
And what Jordan film be complete without Stephan Rea. While not the lead in this film or a particularly commendable character, his ability to play a role, any role, is a treasure in itself. In addition, it's nice to see Ian Hart, most remembered for playing John Lennon in "Backbeat," come into his own as an adult actor.
Production Design, Art Direction, Cinematography, Costumes -- Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. TEOTA is the rare film that looks like a classic upon its initial viewing. London during World War II never looked better. Particular kudos to Sandy Powell for costumes and Julianne Moore's jewelry.
Music -- Michael Nyman hasn't done many film scores ("The Piano," "Gattaca," "Carrington," Peter Greenway's films), which is probably why his music is so original. His music, masterpieces on their own, so perfectly underscores the emotions carried out on screen. Evocative, emotional and powerful.
Writing and Directing -- Neil Jordan is in a class all his own. His precision in what he wants and does not want to reveal in any particular scene is almost Hitchcockian. His skills at adapting rich, complex literature rivals that of Horton Foote and Steven Zailian. He is a master at the top of his craft and I cannot wait for anything he does next.
Now, back to that Ralph's butt. I bring this up because I find it refreshing to see love scenes in a non-traditional way. We all know how sex is supposed to go down on screen in the male-dominated Hollywood machine... Man kisses woman. Man proceeds to remove woman's shirt. Woman removes man's shirt. Man removes woman's bra and skirt. Cut to tight shot of man and woman in bed doing the hippity-dippity. Blah. Blah. Blah.
How sexy and absorbing it was to see Ralph and Julianne so hot for each other that they only disrobe the absolute minimum amount to get it on. No foreplay. No extensive kissing sequence. Just a lift off the skirt and a drop of the skivvies and ba-da-bing. Now that's attraction.
Sitting on the aisle,
Janestreeter
