The End of the Affair

1999 Drama

Based on the novel by Graham Greene, this romantic drama stars Ralph Fiennes as Maurice Bendrix, a novelist who, during World War II, had an affair with Sarah Miles (Julianne Moore), the wife of his best friend Henry (Stephen Rea). Sarah abruptly broke off the romance in 1944, but two years later, after Maurice runs into Henry, he becomes obsessed with the affair and hires a man to investigate Sarah. He reads her diary of their forbidden romance in the midst of the London Blitz and discovers that, overwhelmed with fear and guilt, she pledged to God that she would end the affair if Maurice's life were spared. Maurice is determined to reintroduce himself into Sarah's life, but she fears that being near him would be too great a temptation. The End of the Affair was previously brought to the screen in 1955 by Edward Dmytryk; this version was written for the screen and directed by Academy Award-winner Neil Jordan. more..

Director: Neil Jordan

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore, Stephen Rea, Ian Hart

Reviews

  • Splendid acting helps Jordan achieve most of his goals, although some may find the romantic and religious elements an uneasy mixture.

    David Sterritt - Christian Science Monitor

    27 April 2013

  • Without a hint of sanctimony, it is a love story as much about soul as heart.

    Rene Rodriguez - Miami Herald

    27 April 2013

  • The affair itself, in its genteel way, does catch fire, but it's the end of the affair that needs to move us to rapture, and the movie, instead, just drifts away.

    Owen Gleiberman - Entertainment Weekly

    27 April 2013

  • Few recent movie romances have a more chilling and peculiar feel -- and a more sobering aftertaste -- than Neil Jordan's heart-rendingly cold adaptation of Affair.

    Michael Wilmington - The Chicago Tribune

    27 April 2013

  • The immaculately crafted film that just sits there and refuses to come to life.

    Jay Carr - The Boston Globe

    27 April 2013

Awards

  • Best Actress in a Leading Role

    Academy Awards (2000)

     
  • Best Screenplay - Adapted

    BAFTA Awards (2000)

  • Best Actress

    Chicago Film Critics Association Awards (2000)

     
  • Best Actress

    Chlotrudis Awards (2000)

     
  • Best Screenplay

    Evening Standard British Film Awards (2001)