In London during World War II, wounded and honorably discharged soldier Van Johnson (as Maurice Bendrix) has resumed his writing career. At a party, Mr. Johnson encounters attractive Deborah Kerr (as Sarah) and asks her out to discuss a new book he's researching. Johnson is much more interested in Ms. Kerr than the book. She likes Johnson, too, and they are quickly copulating. There is a problem, however. Kerr is married to British civil servant Peter Cushing (as Henry Miles). During an air raid, Kerr and Johnson are having a tryst and Johnson is injured. Kerr finds Johnson dead and asks God to bring him back to life. In return, Kerr promises "The End of the Affair"...
God answers Kerr's prayer, but doesn't tell Johnson why he's being dumped. He assumes she's found another man. The misunderstandings get more complicated after Johnson decides to hire private investigator John Mills (as Albert Parkis) to snoop on Kerr for Mr. Cushing...
Original novelist Graham Greene's spiritual story receives good direction from Edward Dmytryk and gets some nice black-and-white scenes from Wilkie Cooper. The supporting cast is very good. At the time, Kerr received more praise from Johnson, who was thought miscast...
In reality, they both act well in the roles. However, Kerr doesn't have any otherworldly appeal; she's lovely, but doesn't strike an erotic note. Johnson is likewise fine, but he doesn't compensate for Kerr with any animal magnetism. They don't get to know each other very well, so it must be all sex (which we don't see). It's also interesting that Johnson first sees Kerr kissing another man; we assume she's had a string of affairs, but are left misinformed. Although she writes very well, Kerr doesn't read books (only reviews) and is superstitions (doesn't walk under ladders). She is ultimately reads God well. The almighty is treated, herein, as an ambiguous off-screen character.
****** The End of the Affair (2/24/55) Edward Dmytryk ~ Deborah Kerr, Van Johnson, Peter Cushing, John Mills
God answers Kerr's prayer, but doesn't tell Johnson why he's being dumped. He assumes she's found another man. The misunderstandings get more complicated after Johnson decides to hire private investigator John Mills (as Albert Parkis) to snoop on Kerr for Mr. Cushing...
Original novelist Graham Greene's spiritual story receives good direction from Edward Dmytryk and gets some nice black-and-white scenes from Wilkie Cooper. The supporting cast is very good. At the time, Kerr received more praise from Johnson, who was thought miscast...
In reality, they both act well in the roles. However, Kerr doesn't have any otherworldly appeal; she's lovely, but doesn't strike an erotic note. Johnson is likewise fine, but he doesn't compensate for Kerr with any animal magnetism. They don't get to know each other very well, so it must be all sex (which we don't see). It's also interesting that Johnson first sees Kerr kissing another man; we assume she's had a string of affairs, but are left misinformed. Although she writes very well, Kerr doesn't read books (only reviews) and is superstitions (doesn't walk under ladders). She is ultimately reads God well. The almighty is treated, herein, as an ambiguous off-screen character.
****** The End of the Affair (2/24/55) Edward Dmytryk ~ Deborah Kerr, Van Johnson, Peter Cushing, John Mills