The End of the Affair (1999)
On a rainy London night in 1946, novelist Maurice Bendrix has a chance meeting with Henry Miles, husband of his ex-mistress Sarah, who abruptly ended their affair two years before. Bendrix's obsession with Sarah is rekindled; he succumbs to his own jealousy and arranges to have her followed.
Details
Budget
$23,000,000
Rating
7/10 (251 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Columbia Pictures
About The End of the Affair
Set in London during the 1940s, "The End of the Affair" explores themes of infidelity, jealousy, and obsession against the backdrop of World War II. The story centers on Maurice Bendrix, a novelist, whose past affair with Sarah Miles is reignited after a chance encounter with her husband. This leads Bendrix to revisit his feelings and ultimately arrange for Sarah to be followed, deepening the narrative's focus on complex relationships and emotional turmoil.
The film delves into the intricacies of love and betrayal, with key elements of romance and drama shaping the characters' actions and motivations. The setting of wartime London and the inclusion of keywords like "infidelity," "obsession," and "1940s" ground the emotional narrative in a specific historical and social context. The movie's runtime is 102 minutes, contributing to its concentrated exploration of these intense themes.
Critically, the film maintains an IMDb rating of 7.0 from over 25,000 votes, and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 66%, indicating a generally favorable reception. Its exploration of moral and emotional complexities, rather than a straightforward romance, distinguishes it within the genre.
Why you might be searching for The End of the Affair
People are often searching for "The End of the Affair" due to its intense depiction of infidelity and obsession, particularly set against the backdrop of wartime London. The film's specific premise, involving a novelist rekindling a past affair and hiring a detective to follow his ex-lover, makes it memorable. The strong performances and the exploration of complex emotional and moral dilemmas also contribute to its search appeal, with users often looking for details about the plot's twists and the characters' fraught relationships.
What reviewers are saying
The film effectively tackles themes of religion, adultery, and faith without resorting to melodrama, presenting a nuanced portrayal of a discreet affair involving a spouse and her seemingly indifferent husband.
Read the full reviewDespite being set during the London Blitz, the movie maintains a sense of calm, providing a spiritual adaptation of Graham Greene's intricate novel through the passionate performances of the lead actors.
Read the full reviewJulianne Moore and Ralph Fiennes deliver exceptional performances as the illicit lovers, with Fiennes's portrayal noted as even stronger than his work in "The English Patient," capturing the depth of their dangerous affair.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "The End of the Affair" on Tubi TV for free with ads. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. You can also get it on DVD. The movie is not currently available on Netflix. [justwatch.com](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-end-of_the_affair), [sonypictures.com](https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/theendoftheaffair0)
"The End of the Affair" is a 1999 romantic drama film based on Graham Greene's 1951 novel of the same name. It is not based on a true story. [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_End_of_the_Affair_(1999_film))
In the film's ending, Maurice Bendrix reads Sarah's diary and discovers why she abruptly ended their affair. During a bombing, when Bendrix was injured, Sarah, believing him dead, prayed for his life and vowed to God that she would stop seeing him if he survived. After Sarah's death from a terminal illness, Bendrix completes his book, which is revealed to be a diary of hate directed towards God. He ultimately acknowledges God's existence while praying to be left alone. [imdb.com](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172396/plotsummary/), [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_End_of_the_Affair_(1999_film))