Movie Review: An Affair to Remember (1957) directed by Leo McCarey
International playboy Niccolo Ferrante (Cary Grant) is traveling back from Italy to marry his heiress fiancée Lois Clark (Neva Patterson). On the ship, Nickie discovers that his lost cigarette case is in the hands of nightclub singer Terry McKay (Deborah McKerr, singing voice by Marnie Nixon). They immediately begin flirting, but she too is engaged to a wealthy person, Kenneth Bradley (Richard Denning.) It’s a small ship, and the pair keep running into each other. When the ship anchors in France, Nickie invites Terry along to meet his grandmother Janou (Cathleen Nesbitt). Terry and the older woman bond, and Terry sees that behind his playboy façade, Nickie is a talented but under-confident artist who dotes on children.
Their interest in each other deepens, and by the final night before docking in New York City, Nickie and Terry admit they’re very much in love, despite their other commitments. They agree to go their separate ways for six months, and then if they still feel the same way, reunite at the Empire State building. Each breaks off their engagement, and attempt to make their own way in the world. This latter is relatively easy for Terry, as nightclub singing, while not the most lucrative profession, is very portable for a talented and pretty woman. Nickie has always relied on the kindness of women, and a) refuses to cash in on his name recognition and b) is working in a realistic painting style that’s out of fashion in the 1950s. He even has to get a day job!
Six months later, the couple has not lost their feelings for each other, and rush off to the Empire State Building. On the way, however, Terry has an accident that cripples her, and Nickie thinks she’s dumped him because she never shows up. Their hearts broken, how will Nickie and Terry ever recover?
This romance movie is considered one of the classics in the field; it’s a remake of the equally classic 1939 movie Love Affair, based on a story co-written by Leo McCarey, who directed both movies. (Sadly, he did not direct the 1994 remake.)
Good: Splendid acting from our leads, good dialogue (especially in the early flirting stages), some truly heart touching scenes and light comedy moments. I liked that the romantic runners-up were depicted as decent people, especially Ken, who we can only hope finds a mate that appreciates his many fine qualities. And it really is a well-crafted story.
The main song is lovely, both in English and French. Marnie Nixon’s singing is excellent.
Less good: A soul-crushing musical number by the “adorable” children that Terry teaches after she loses the use of her legs. It goes on rather too long.
I have to admit that straight-up romance just isn’t my genre. For all the good writing and acting, I found many of the love scenes tedious and I was ready to move on well before the script was.
Content note: The treatment of Terry’s disability is period-appropriate but some modern viewers may find it a bit cringey.
Overall: I can certainly see why this movie is considered a classic, and recommend it to those more fond of the romance genre than I am.
