Brief Encounter

Perfect viewing for a rainy afternoon.

I’ve seen this classic a couple of times before but not for a long time.

It’s a black and white love story, not as we might understand or expect a love story to be today, not the Jennifer Anniston type of love story, one dimensional with a happy ever after ending. You don’t get that here.

What you do get is the end of the affair right at the beginning which sets the scene beautifully for what is to come.

The story takes place over only a few weeks from a chance meeting in a small country town Railway station refreshment room. Two bored married strangers connect, then bump into each other, end up sharing a table in a packed restaurant and after a few furtive meetings on a Thursday when Dr. Alex Bailey visits the hospital and plays hoodie to go to the cinema “the pictures” instead they realise they have stronger feelings for each other than merely casual acquaintances.

The thing I like best about this film is the pace, you are in it and then it’s over. It’s subtle and extremely well acted which makes it engaging even though in the most part it’s set in the station, in the station refreshment room or travelling or walking to and from the refreshment room.

All roads lead to Rome.

A younger viewer may feel this movie is a world away from their life today but I think the reason this Noel Coward story has endured is it cuts to the heart of how powerful the pull of romantic attraction can be even when what you have to lose you believe to be wonderful and safe.

Stanley Holloway and Joyce Carey (as Mr. Godby and cafe owner Myrtle Bagitali) are absolutely brilliant in supporting roles. A different hilarious love story that counter balances the main event beautifully. Noel Coward’s delicate and clever script at it’s most poignant in the hands of these two clever actors. A definite classic.