Cut glass accents and stiff upper lips abound in this quintessential romance classic from the pen of Noel Coward. Two strangers meet in a refreshment lounge of a train station and begin a platonic love affair. Alas they are both married with children and being of it's day, nothing shall come of it but some furtive glances and the odd stolen kiss.
Many things make this film a true great. The direction of David Lean; Noel Coward's gripping screenplay from what is such a simple story; the charming sub plot in the station between the ticket officer and the cafe manageress; Above all these factors is the performance of Celia Johnson. Such an expressive face that would be as informative on a silent film. Many a time she is acting into a window or mirror whilst her character narrates.You really feel for poor Laura's hopelessness of the situation. There is one scene where she lies to her husband for the first time, when he asks her bout her day. You see the regret and disgrace with herself wash over her face.
The story is told as a confessional in Laura's mind to her husband. That last scene is truly heartbreaking as her husband comforts her as she's been having an awful day. It's like he heard every word of her confession and thanks her for coming back to him. *sigh* It's like he not only woke her from a bad dream, but also from the 'dream' of the affair and she can finally get back to her life.
A most expressive face.
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