Brief Encounter
UK 1946
BFI Top 100 #2
All I had previously known of Brief Encounter was from The History Boys where the students act out the final moments in the classroom. From this and general chit chat about the film, I took it to be silly, overdramatic and more English than a bulldog playing cricket in a bowler hat.
Having spent an hour and half with Laura and Alec I am pleasantly proved wrong. The strange juxtaposition of their relationship, impeccably chaste yet furiously passionate, is heartbreaking and delightful viewing.
The film’s structure is elegant and effective. Though we gain much from hearing the story from Laura’s side, it makes you wonder what Alec is returning home to after each of their meetings.
There is a common view of “old movie” actors being either melodramatic or impossibly straight-laced. But whilst Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard’s accents’ may be clipped, their heartfelt performances are full of pathos. Superbly cast, I would defy anyone not to be immediately charmed by Howard’s good humour and soft voice.
The subtle and nuanced acting makes what is really quite a small story into a plot with enough twists and drama to rival any globe-trotting thriller. It is of huge credit to the filmmakers that a small cast, few locations and the beautiful use of a key musical theme should create a piece that feels so weighty.
It is a simple story with a great richness of character and emotion. Laura’s impassioned inner monologue will be ringing in my ears for some time to come.
