Cornerhouse Digital Reporter Simran Hans reviews An Affair to Remember…
“Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories”, laments Deborah Kerr’s Terry McKay. Luckily, this winter, Cornerhouse is screening the 1957 classic An Affair to Remember, an unforgettable romance that has managed to melt frost-bitten hearts everywhere for more than half a century. Though it is well-known for being the romantic movie to end all romantic movies (Sleepless in Seattle, anyone?), An Affair to Remember is more than a mere cultural touchstone – it’s a great film in and of itself.
Terry (Kerr), an heiress and Nickie (Cary Grant), a notorious playboy meet on a cruise ship. Bonded by their shared love of the finer things in life (including but not limited to pink champagne and sailing around the Mediterranean), the two instantly hit it off. Exchanging witty banter and stolen glances, their chemistry is apparent. There’s only one problem – both parties are engaged to other people. Upon docking in New York City, the pair, unable to deny their mutual attraction, agree to meet in six months’ time at the top of the Empire State Building. However, when an unfortunate accident hinders Terry from attending their reunion, it looks as though their seemingly-fated love affair is no longer on the cards. But, of course, the heart wants what the heart wants and as chance (or indeed, Hollywood) would have it, Terry and Nickie cross paths again in the most unexpected way.
This is a film about the slow-burn of attraction, delighting in the small moments that form the prelude to a kiss (and one of the most memorable on-screen first kisses of all-time, at that). Sparks fly as the couple tease one another with a barrage of whip-smart quips, the on-screen sexual tension between stars Kerr and Grant is smouldering. It is Kerr and Grant who bring the film alive, managing to capture the inexplicable magic of falling in love.
In fact, it’s almost impossible not to feel one’s own knees buckle as the dizzying intensity with which the couple fall in love unfolds. In one particularly beautiful scene, they visit Nickie’s doting Grandma Janou (Cathleen Nesbitt) in her home on the French Riviera. Nickie’s relationship with the tender-hearted Janou is a window that allows Terry a rare glimpse into the charismatic bachelor’s childhood. Grant balances Nickie’s artistic sensibilities with cheeky cocksure confidence, showing us – and indeed, seducing us – with Nickie’s vulnerable side.
And yet, despite their debonair appearances, it is the unsaid feelings and heart-pounding what-ifs that have us rooting for Nickie and Terry – and reaching for the tissues right until the very end. Beautifully shot in vivid Technicolor, and accompanied by Harry Warren’s rich, romantic score, this bittersweet romance is a nostalgic cinematic experience that has truly stood the test of time.
An Affair to Remember screens as part of our Winter Wonderland season on Sun 9 and Wed 12 Dec. Book your tickets here.