THE PASSIONATE FRIENDS is a truly underrated film by David Lean. A simple story about a married couple and what happens when, over the years, the wife (Ann Todd) falls in love with another man (Trevor Howard) who eventually marries someone else. Todd must then reconcile her married life (to Claude Rains) with the realization that "romantic love" is not always the right answer.
The film was quite controversial in its day because of the adultery theme, and it stands up quite well today because the film is very honest and very adult as it examines the dynamics of marriage and love. The film was retitled ONE WOMAN'S STORY for American theaters.
The three stars are all superb under Lean's direction and turn in performances that allow the audience to sympathize with the characters caught in the web of love, desire, and deceit. Photographed in glistening B&W by Guy Green, the film is just gorgeous in its use of close- ups and on-location photography.
Trevor Howard plays the "other man" in a straightforward way. He seems a decent sort of guy who just happens to fall in love with another man's wife. When it becomes clear that things will not work out, he moves on, marries, has children, etc. but never forgets.
Claude Rains is excellent as the tolerant husband, an older man who knows his younger wife does not really love him. But after he reaches his breaking points (after the Swiss tryst) and files for divorce, he becomes a man of passionate rage.
Ann Todd (Lean's wife) is superb as the conflicted wife who waivers between romantic love with Howard and sensible love with Rains. Even at age 40, Todd here is simply gorgeous and lovingly photographed in beautiful close-ups.
When the divorce papers are filed and all three people are thrown into emotional turmoil, Todd realizes that the only way out is to plead with Rains to stop legal actions. In a brilliant scene, Rains rages and admits that his idea of a "sensible" marriage have been shattered because he has fallen in love with his own wife. Devastated (but not hearing the full confession) Todd decides to take drastic action as a way ofending everyone's emotional pain.
Perhaps not as great as BRIEF ENCOUNTER, this film nonetheless packs a huge emotional wallop thanks to the three terrific performances. Highly recommended.
The film was quite controversial in its day because of the adultery theme, and it stands up quite well today because the film is very honest and very adult as it examines the dynamics of marriage and love. The film was retitled ONE WOMAN'S STORY for American theaters.
The three stars are all superb under Lean's direction and turn in performances that allow the audience to sympathize with the characters caught in the web of love, desire, and deceit. Photographed in glistening B&W by Guy Green, the film is just gorgeous in its use of close- ups and on-location photography.
Trevor Howard plays the "other man" in a straightforward way. He seems a decent sort of guy who just happens to fall in love with another man's wife. When it becomes clear that things will not work out, he moves on, marries, has children, etc. but never forgets.
Claude Rains is excellent as the tolerant husband, an older man who knows his younger wife does not really love him. But after he reaches his breaking points (after the Swiss tryst) and files for divorce, he becomes a man of passionate rage.
Ann Todd (Lean's wife) is superb as the conflicted wife who waivers between romantic love with Howard and sensible love with Rains. Even at age 40, Todd here is simply gorgeous and lovingly photographed in beautiful close-ups.
When the divorce papers are filed and all three people are thrown into emotional turmoil, Todd realizes that the only way out is to plead with Rains to stop legal actions. In a brilliant scene, Rains rages and admits that his idea of a "sensible" marriage have been shattered because he has fallen in love with his own wife. Devastated (but not hearing the full confession) Todd decides to take drastic action as a way ofending everyone's emotional pain.
Perhaps not as great as BRIEF ENCOUNTER, this film nonetheless packs a huge emotional wallop thanks to the three terrific performances. Highly recommended.