The briefest of brief encounters. Vittorio De Sica's one hour romance plays like the last half of a longer movie. Jennifer Jones is an American leaving Rome pursued by Italian lover Montgomery Clift. Their long goodbye makes up the entire film. It's very well-made with some great acting (particularly from Jones, who's NOT out-acted by Clift). They have great chemistry. De Sica, relying on dialog by none other than Truman Capote, pulls off a miracle of sorts by creating a full fledged film in less than 65 minutes. It's sad but never pathetic, full of irony (Jones tells Clift she's a housewife and has no imagination!) and even some suspense. Clift is exceptional and does not affect any sort of phony Italian accent. The stunning photography is by G.R. Aldo, who also shot SENSO and Welles's OTHELLO. Even in a truncated version (pared down by Jones's husband David O. Selznick), it's a terrific film.
Review of Terminal Station
