'The End of the Affair' (1999) Movie of the Book by Graham Greene

Directed by Neil Jordan, 'The End of the Affair' is a romantic drama based on Graham Greene’s 1951 novel of the same name. The film stars Ralph Fiennes as Maurice Bendrix, Julianne Moore as Sarah Miles, and Stephen Rea as Henry Miles. Set in 1940s London during and after World War II, the story explores love, jealousy, faith, and the impact of war on human relationships.

Plot Summary: The film begins in 1946, with novelist Maurice Bendrix consumed by bitterness and unresolved feelings about his past affair with Sarah Miles, the wife of his friend Henry. Two years earlier, during the height of the Blitz, Bendrix and Sarah had a passionate and illicit relationship, meeting in secret while bombs rained over London. Their love was intense but also fraught with jealousy and insecurity.

One night, during a bombing raid, Bendrix’s house is struck. When Sarah finds him lying motionless, she believes he is dead. Overcome with grief, she silently prays, making a desperate pact with God: if Maurice survives, she will end the affair and devote herself to her husband. When Maurice regains consciousness, Sarah abruptly leaves him without explanation, leaving him heartbroken and resentful.

Years later, unable to move on, Bendrix hires a private detective, Parkis, to follow Sarah and uncover the truth behind her sudden departure. Through his investigation, he discovers Sarah’s diary, which reveals the secret she had kept from him—the promise she made to God. Torn between her love for Maurice and her fear of breaking her vow, Sarah struggles with her faith and her emotions.

As Sarah and Maurice reconnect, she admits that she still loves him, but their rekindled romance is short-lived. Sarah falls ill with a fatal disease, and as she nears death, her belief in divine intervention is reaffirmed. Despite Maurice’s attempts to keep her alive, she dies, leaving him devastated and questioning the nature of love, faith, and fate.

Themes: Love and Obsession: The story examines the fine line between passionate love and destructive obsession.

Faith vs. Atheism: Maurice’s skepticism is challenged by Sarah’s growing belief in God, leading to existential questions about fate and divine will.

War and Emotional Turmoil: The Blitz serves as both a literal and metaphorical backdrop, symbolizing chaos and destruction in both the world and personal relationships.

Conclusion: The End of the Affair (1999) is a deeply emotional and visually stunning adaptation that captures the novel’s themes of love, loss, and faith. Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore deliver powerful performances, bringing depth to Greene’s complex characters. The film stays true to the novel’s melancholic and reflective tone, making it a compelling exploration of human emotions and spiritual dilemmas.