Who else cries when they see this film?
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celadore — 19 years ago(July 31, 2006 08:37 AM)
It didn't actually bring tears to my eyes but I was definitely moved by the idea of it - the lovers parting for ever.
I also agree with what's been said in other threads - that this is love its in infancy when it's almost a 'madness' but not the real love that lasts the years. Although, perhaps this is the kind of love they could have had if they had not been parted?
However, I think the ending, with Laura essentially 'returning' to her husband definitely offers an optimistic view of their future together.
The music is spell-binding - totally makes the film for me and it would be an utterly different film without it. -
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LionHearted99 — 19 years ago(September 10, 2006 02:19 AM)
It's difficult to not cry when seeing this film. I played the Rachmaninoff Concerto all next day after I first saw this film. I think I'm in love with Celia Johnson myself. The film is well donethe acting superb. Trevor Howard always was one of my favorite actors. Amazing how a simple subway station can be so transformed.
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X-Evolutionist — 19 years ago(November 18, 2006 01:49 PM)
I cried at the very end.
X
www.X-Evolutionist.com
http://X-Evolutionist.spaces.live.com -
gailforce12 — 19 years ago(February 08, 2007 01:01 PM)
I always want to cry for Fred. I mean to say - he always helps but has missed all the passion. Hardly fair. And what about the kids? 'My Birthday's in June and there are no pantomimes in June.' A wonderful line.
A trully great film - but a creature of it's time and a subtext for how homosexuality was viewed before the liberating social legislation of the sixties.
Celia Johnson was Ian Fleming's sister-in-law. She was married to his brother - Peter. -
teen_indie — 19 years ago(February 14, 2007 10:35 PM)
It's heartbreaking. I always cry, or at least, want to. Then I tend to want to have a devestatingly romantic and tragic affair. Life was so proper in the sixties, couldn't imagine a film of this simplistic emotional depth today. A true classic
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IsoldeJaneHolland — 19 years ago(March 01, 2007 07:19 PM)
Get the Criterion Collection DVD. I'm not a cineaste snob, but seriously,
Criterion's edition are crammed with so many stuff-you-really-want (and
can watch more than once) bonus features they have completely spoiled
me for ordinary discs. -
roghache — 19 years ago(March 03, 2007 06:00 PM)
I was quite taken by the comment made by xerxes legend about feeling bad for Fred, and must agree. I do find that Alec has charisma, and of course his parting scene with Laura is very touching. I imagine that most viewers who cry do so because of sadness over these lovers, Laura and Alec, nobly bidding farewell forever.
However, many of my sympathies lie with Fred. He is basically a good husband and father, maybe not quite attentive enough to this wife, as can often happen with long married spouses, but he's kind, caring, and even displays a sense of humour. He may not be dashing, exciting, and charismatic but he's likeable!
It seems obvious at the end that Fred has come to realize his wife's unhappiness and may well suspect some relationship with another man, or emotional pining at least on her part. He isn't likely to ever discuss it with Laura, IMO, but surely he would feel hurt. It would be a blow to his own esteem and sense of security in the marriage, albeit he's relieved she has come back to him. It would appear that for some time Laura may not be emotionally "there" with him and the children as she will be grieving in a sense the loss of Alec. Therefore Fred is probably going to have to "carry" this marriage for awhile, subtly trying to find ways to support Laura and restore her happiness, while atempting to maintain his own trust in her.
If I were to cry during this movie, it would be because I find Fred's kindness to Laura at the end so touching and because he is truly her best friend that she can always count on. -
lighthouse_04 — 19 years ago(March 19, 2007 11:00 PM)
Very much so - I highly agree with your sentiments as expressed. I found the movie wonderfully tragic, some memorable quotes coming to mind include those when Trevor Howard expresses to Celia Johnson again and again very directly that he loves her, he loves her so very much, and Celia Johnson's equally passionate but equally hesitant responses. But the phrase that touched me most and even now tears come to my eyes when I think of it is Fred's statement at the end of the movie, "Thank you for returning back to me" and Celia throwing herself into his arms sobbing - it seems very much the statement of a loving and understanding husband who only wants to forgive his wife and move on.
And Celia Johnson's response was, I'd like to think, that of a wife who realises that no matter what happens and how depressed she is by Trevor Howard's departure, she will always have and appreciate the existence of, the support and love of her husband, which I think makes this movie extra special - a nice, if not completely happy, ending all round. -
tohu — 12 years ago(May 05, 2013 04:59 PM)
Hi roghache. This is very well said. I know its 6 years since you posted it, but even so.
You have captured exactly how I feel about the movie, and why I love it. Its Fred. What a dear, sweet, gentle, caring man. And as you say, the best friend she will ever have. And in the end I think even she realises this.
I dont think there are any 'bad' people in this movie. Just flawed people who are the victims of their emotions - and of fate.
So, there are no 'villains' in BE. But there is only one hero.
"Maybe I should go alone"
- Quint, Jaws.
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aorourke55 — 19 years ago(March 29, 2007 05:21 AM)
I didn't cry but I found this movie sad and similar to Bridges of Madison County.
The sad thing is that a woman would consider a brief contact with a stranger the "most precious moments of her life." Anyone can look good for a few afternoons. If someone finds their daily life unsatisfying they should focus on fixing that, and not delude themselves that they fell in love with the perfect person and that person would have made their life great if only they didn't leave. -
BlueGreen — 19 years ago(March 30, 2007 02:01 PM)
I don't know that I cry (I may, for all I know), but I can and gladly will say this: this is probably one of the two or three most romantic films of all time.
And when I say I "romantic", I mean it in the purest, most genuine sense of the word. It is gut-rippingly realistic (yes, it is), it doesn't have gorgeous settings and glamorous people, it doesn't have swahsbucklery and swooning What it does have is true heroism of the very "ordinary" - and heartbreaking - kind. Which is precisely what makes it so romantic.