Brief encounter (1945)

Brief encounter, directed by David Lean, is certainly not the most revolutionary film in the world; it is what one might call a subdued love story (or is it really a love story at all?). It's not melodrama exactly - it's too quiet and understated for that. The dialogue & style show an appropriate amount of restraint - in a very English manner the film keeps us at a certain distance, most of the storytelling taking place through voice-over. That is not unproblematic, but for all the problems about telling-not-showing, this is a good film that focuses on psychology, rather than story. The depiction of this unhappy story about a housewife's desire is interesting because it is open-ended; did Lean intend to craft a piece of social critique about the boring world of the house wife? - Very likely. How are we to describe Laura's feelings for the doctor, and what the heck was up with that guy anyway? It's a grown-up film about infidelity that opens up more questions than it provides answers for - what a relief. Not all scenes are believable but at some moments, the actors faces have a peculiar glow that makes this film feel relevant. Watching it is a lot like reading a Graham Greene novel. A very stylish film. I liked it.