MovieChat Forums > The End of the Affair (2000) Discussion > OK but unsatisfying

OK but unsatisfying

posted 13 years ago by stuffic
4 replies | jump to latest

Am I the only one who doesn't care for love stories that are basically lust stories? Where's the character development, the buildup to the lovemaking?

Sure, the sex scenes were hot, but I never really felt the emotional connection to the characters that I want to feel when watching a movie like this. I realized what emotion I did feel came entirely from the performances and the superb score.

I was hoping to be swept away ...
Close, but no postcoital cigar

"Did you know Tom Cruise had no idea he was in that vampire movie until two years later?" Bowfinger

[–] J. Spurlin 13 years ago

I didn't think the sex scenes were very sexy, and more important, I thought they were a waste of time. In the original (which couldn't have had sex scenes if it wanted to), we spend a lot more time getting to know the characters and watching them talk to each other. That really was a love story, in addition to being a theological drama. I bought the love story in this version, and enjoyed the movie, but wish it had some of the first film's virtues. Julianne Moore is easily Deborah Kerr's equal as an actress: I wish she had been given the same material as Kerr.

...Justin

[–] kenny-164 11 years ago

Seeing the heading of this thread, i sould have known that the "unsatisfying" could have referred to any number of possible subjects. I felt the editing and cinematography were first rate. Jordan really is among the better directors of the last couple of decades. I also appreciated seeing a grown up story. The acting for the most part was very good as well. But...

As the film ended, I just felt it was to unclear what teh whole thing was about. Was it intended to be some statement about God and his involvement, however implicitly, with these characters? Or was it merely about Brendix's views on that subject and how it colored his relationship with Sarah?

I couldn't even tell you what it was saying about Brendix in effect highjacking hte funeral arrangements. Love for Sarah, or imposing his views on everyone else?

It was all rather unclear, and not to any purpose I could gather.

[–] Keely 9 years ago

As much as I love Julianne Moore, I would have loved to see Miranda Richardson in the role (she was considered) and wonder if she could have given it another layer.

[–] prplayer 8 years ago

you're right, there's no buildup which makes the relationship look superficial, we don't really get invested in the characters or their relationship

i don't agree with you on the sex scenes though, i thought they were pretty bland

so many movies, so little time