'The Blue Film' (1954) by Graham Greene

'The Blue Film' is a short story by Graham Greene, first published in 1954 as part of his collection Twenty-One Stories. The story explores themes of marital dissatisfaction, voyeurism, and the lingering effects of past sins.

Plot Summary:
The story follows an English couple, Mr. and Mrs. Carter, vacationing in an unnamed Southeast Asian city. Their relationship is marked by emotional distance and routine. One evening, out of curiosity, Mr. Carter persuades his reluctant wife to attend a blue film—an old, explicit pornographic movie screened in a seedy backstreet cinema.

As the film plays, Mr. Carter is horrified to recognize himself as a young man in the film, participating in a sexual encounter from years earlier. The revelation shocks him, forcing him to confront the lingering consequences of his past indiscretions. Meanwhile, Mrs. Carter remains unaware of his personal connection to the film, further highlighting the emotional gap between them.

The experience deepens Mr. Carter’s internal turmoil, as he is forced to reflect on the divide between his youthful recklessness and his present life of middle-aged propriety.

Themes:
Guilt and the Past: The story examines how past actions can resurface unexpectedly, forcing individuals to confront their moral failings.

Emotional Distance: The strained relationship between the Carters reflects themes of alienation and the inability to communicate openly.

Voyeurism and Morality: Greene critiques the human fascination with taboo experiences and the moral unease it provokes.

Legacy:
"The Blue Film" is a powerful meditation on how past sins haunt the present and reflects Greene’s recurring preoccupations with guilt, morality, and human frailty. The story’s subtle psychological depth and moral ambiguity make it a standout piece in his short fiction repertoire.