Having seen the 1950s version of this which moved me to tears, I was looking forward to watching the later version. Sadly though, very rarely are remakes as good as the originals, and here was a prime example of a really rather excellent story by Graeme Greene, (in my opinion) cut up and changed around until it didn't share the same intense and powerful meaning it should've done. The film makers claimed that they could show the full potential of the story in this later version because the 1950s film couldn't show the sex scenes, but in reality I don't feel the sex scenes actually enhanced the story at all, and served more as an annoyance than anything else.
During WW2 a writer named Bendrix begins a torrid affair with Sarah, the wife of a civil servant and continues this for 2 years before a terrible event causes her to end the affair without explanation. Heartbroken, Bendrix arranges to have her followed by a private investigator after a chance meeting with her husband sends him into a jealous frenzy. Finally understanding the reason why she left, Bendrix hopes to find her again, before it's too late.
I think the story is excellent, but was frankly disappointed by the performances of Fiennes and Moore.
Watch the original.
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