I agree. I think the Dr was only after one thing and didn't really love her. He probably would have dumped her after he had what he wanted. Maybe that would have been better than her living in a fantasy of an imaginary life together which wouldn't have really happened.

This message has been deleted.

I think the first angle you watched this film from was better! It does read like a bit of a conspiracy theory type article, and I don't think there's much to support your claims. Laura's husband was totally oblivious to the whole thing right up until the final scene, and by thanking Laura "for coming back to him," made it very obvious to the audience that he knew something was going on. In all the previous scenes featuring Fred, he was always very charming, attentive and supportive of Laura. No man who suspects his wife of having an affair could behave in such a relaxed and nonchalant manner.
The only time I'd accuse Alec Harvey of being a bit of a cad was when he invited himself to join Laura at the movies. That was a bit naughty I agree, but it would've have ruined the film somewhat if he didn't!

Regarding the twin beds: At that time, the Hayes Code in Hollywood insisted on even married couples sleeping in separate beds. For the film to obtain a US release, any British film would have to follow the same code. It has nothing to do with Laura's relationship with her husband.

I think the husband is the villain here. He's married to one of the most scrumptious pieces of posh totty in Britain, and they're sleeping in separate beds!? Is he impotent, a homo or what? There's a key line that no-one else seems to have commented upon: Laura, lying in her bed, looks over to her husband's: 'That week was misery; I went through it in a sort of trance. How odd of you not to have noticed that you were living with a stranger in the house?' You can't blame the doctor for wishing to prescribe her a weekly course of injections.

I find most of this speculative moralizing here on this thread somewhat amusing but largely irrelevant. The only meaningful question one might ask (and I suppose the original poster has a definite affirmative but rather absurd answer to) is whether either of the two main characters had ulterior motives for their expressed feelings for one another. All of the evidence points to an unequivocal NO! Regardless of their other committed relationships when they fell in love with each other THEY FELL IN LOVE! The fact that one doesn't subtract from the other is the whole point of the story and what both characters struggle with, and desperately try to reconcile. BOTH selflessly sacrifice for others at the end. The Dr. only puts his hand on her shoulder and he's a cad? She contemplates suicide but doesn't fully reciprocate his feelings? Did I watch the same picture as most of you did??!!

I can see how viewing it with 2012 eyes might result in the OP's interpretation, but in 1945 I believe the point was to show that this could happen to anyone, not just "cads" (male or female). It's probably why these particular actors were cast as well.
I know this wasn't the first film to deal with the subject matter, but I think this story stands out because so many people can see it happening to them.
"Well, for once the rich white man is in control!"
C. M. Burns

I believe Laura's husband suspected that something apart from the usual routine had occurred with his wife, but I don't think he was certain about what had occurred.
I didn't interpret Alec as a "cad." I think that he was drawn to Laura because she had a genuine sweetness about her. Yes, the physical attraction was present for both parties, but I think there was a bit more to it, even if it wasn't "true love." They enjoyed each others company. I don't think the doctor targeted Laura. I think the attraction between them was accidental and unexpected.
I think Laura made the right decision in not having an actual affair with Alec. I think she realized that she had a pretty good life with her husband and she did truly love him. She was tempted by another man who made her feel pretty and desirable. Sometimes when people have been married for a long time they tend to take each other a little bit for granted, even if they really do love one another.
Since we never see Alec's wife or see him interact with her, I suppose his marital relationship and motivation is open to the audience's interpretation.

My wife thinks he's a bit of a cad, and led her on. I'm not so sure, but that's perhaps male solidarity kicking in.
I think he was very wrong to pursue it, and clearly he only decided to go to the cinema in order to try to get to know her better, and perhaps start an affair. It certainly wasn't a "coincidence" that he was going to the pictures.
And while one absence from duty might possibly be overlooked, his serial absences from the hospital must surely raise eyebrows. While I don't like the priggishness Steven Lynn displays about Alec bringing Laura back to the flat, he would have a right to be really annoyed that Alec has been playing truant when he was supposed to have been covering for Steven.
I thought of an alternative scenario that would not have made a very good film, but would have allowed Alec and Laura to carry on a mostly harmless flirtation, while keeping their marriages intact.
They could simply have carried on meeting for lunch together on Thursdays. Perfectly respectable. Both regularly took lunch at around the same time anyway. Not champagne lunches, of course. Laura could perhaps have carried on having fantasies about him, but never doing anything about it. If Alec really was a cad, he probably would have made excuses and moved on in time, perhaps to pursue a nurse or something. But if he was the gentleman he seems to want everyone to believe his was, then he would also just be content to lunch with a charming and attractive woman, enjoy some good conversation, and then go back to the grind at the hospital with at least something to smile about.

One of the first questions Alec asks Laura is "Mrs or Miss?"
No evidence, I know, but what a cad might ask!

Your right I noticed that the doc was a perv when he insisted too much on seeing her again while having dinner.

Finally. Someone who understands this movie. I agree with you completely, Sugarminx.

I agree, Slinky. If Alec were indeed a cad, why was his friend so disappointed with him? From that scene it's clear that he doesn't usually have affairs.
But I have love in my heart - Yes, as a thief has riches, a usurer money

I agree. They were two people who had been married to others for quite some time, had built a life together, and brought children into it. I don't think either of them was looking to have an affair when they first met, even though they had been bored in their respective marriages, as many couples are, at times, in a long relationship. They met and found that doing ordinary things with someone new had an excitement that was missing in their lives.
I do not believe the husband knew. What he did know was that his wife was going through some emotional turmoil that caused a distance between them. When he said that he was glad she came back to him, I believe he was referring to her being in the present again and available to him. The audience knowing about the five weeks' liaison, will see the irony in his words.
This is a gentle and beautifully made film with fine acting and musical score.

I agree with Slinkyplanb completely. I believe that they found their true love in each other but knew in their hearts that it was found too late. They sacrificed their love for each other knowing in the end it could never be, without destroying other lives. Destroying other lives with their love for each other in the end would never make them happy. He did the noble thing by going away with his family.

Everyone here seems to agree that the 'doc' was a cad.
Well if that is the case what is she? for while he's doing the chasing, she seems to be more than willing to be caught!
Why is his behaviour seen as being worse than hers?
It irritates me that there seems to be some sort of consensus that his motivations are base. Is it so totally impossible that a man can have real, true and deep feelings that are about more than just the physical?
My interpretation of the film was that Alec really loved Laura. That she returned his love, but they were not free to act on those feelings. And this is ultimately what makes the story work as well as it does.
When you cast one or the other as the villain, the story loses its impact.
Edited to correct grammatical error.
Tap Tommy

"Ditto" to Caperguy

Sure, the doctor was a cad, but both he and the woman were open to the same thing, that being some extra-marital romance and fantasy. He pursued her but she could have ended the whole thing at any time. She could have nipped this romance in the bud by not encouraging him. She was not as naive as some suggest. She quickly became an accomplished liar and cheat.
Clearly both participants were bored with their lives and wanted a secret diversion. As to whether they were in love or lust, I say it was part lust and part fantasy for both. I do not believe it was true love. At no time did she ever consider leaving her husband nor did he entertain leaving his wife. Both were devoted to their spouses and children. They simply needed some entertainment and excitement that they could have asked for at home.
As for the husband, I don't think he knew with certainty but he strongly suspected that something was awry. He trusted his wife implicitly and he was not bold enough to investigate the matter. Eventually he did look at the clues and put everything together. He was the adult in the triangle who valued his wife and his marriage above all else. he might have done some behind-the-scenes wrangling in order to resolve this matter for himself and his wife but that is not made clear in the film. All we can really know is that he loves his wife and that he was willing to overlook whatever faults she may have had in order to keep his wife. If there is any lesson here, it is that his wife probably did not deserve him.

The OP's theory suffers too much from fashionable notions of exaggerated female victimhood. As if it were inconceivable that Laura could have had equally lustful feelings of her own.

I don't think the husband knew as much as you are saying. But then again why would he say something along the lines of letting her know he was thankful she returned.
I too feel the doc was looking to score with her in the sack. And it was more lust than love. I did not really understand why she was going to have a affair. she would have lost her family and she really never expressed what was the problem with her husband. Did she still love him. Being bored seems to be a far stretch in leaving him and her child. especially if she has not discussed it with him.

This message has been deleted.

Yes. No doubt Dr. Alec was taking advantage of the little housewife with a simple life On the other hand, to "fall in love" you need to be available. One cannot love your wife/husband and at the same time fall in love with another person. If one does is because people can be living together, be married and still, not really love their spouses. When you love somebody, truly, sincerelly, there's no room for others; of course, we're talking about couples love, not love in general.

I don't know if that's sensible and well-thought-out, nonsense or just a conspiracy theory! You speak as if its fact with all the 'must's' in there! Rather than your interpretation. I would habve thought, had that been true, then this would have been widely known. I was interested when the husband said 'thankyou for coming back to me' - he knew something was up - and I agree the doc was a cad - but there's a lot of speculation in there too!

What an imagination!! And kill joy! lol