Morning:
9°c
The Passionate Friends is a triumph
By
Derek Malcolm
5 Jun 2008
The Passionate Friends
Cert PG, 91 mins
Cinemas across London
****
David Lean’s 1948 adaptation, written by Eric Ambler, of the novel by HG Wells has often been dismissed as one of his lesser efforts, but it was highly praised when revived in a new print at Cannes this year.
Justly so, since this story of a woman (Ann Todd, then Lean’s wife) who has to decide whether to remain with a boring but fond husband (Claude Rains) or cavort with her sexy old flame (Trevor Howard) remains a subtle exposition of the middle-class mores of the time. Beautifully structured by Lean throughout, it is set in Switzerland and finely shot by Guy Green.
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