William Dieterle stands - to me - as a director who seldom fails. He may not have the genius of Hitchcock, Wyler or Truffaut, but no one can fault him for inconsistency. His quality touch, professionalism, and capacity to extract great work from his leads and camera directors is unsurpassable.
I think SEPTEMBER AFFAIR is his most rounded effort, of deep psychological insight, and a reminder to all of how selfish it is to deceive your spouse without ever sermonizing.
Joan Fontaine, one of the most beautiful actresses ever, delivers a performance of great perceptiveness and class. She is a woman in love but with a conscience. Joseph Cotten appears here a year after his career-best performance in THE THIRD MAN, and he also posts a highly credible and sensitive performance - though not as fine as Fontaine's.
Françoise Rosay, a grand lady of the French cinema, acts as a kind of Jiminy Cricket conscience to the two lovers - her performance deserves the highest plaudits, too.
As does the soundtrack. I never knew that Walter Huston, Director John Huston's father, could sing - but he certainly can deliver the right note in his rendition of the song, September. The Rachmaninoff concert is brilliantly rendered and the rest of the musical pieces in the soundtrack, including the wonderful Italian song, Santa Lucia, are immaculately played.
Photography and screenplay also rate among the best I have ever come across in romantic pictures.
How sad things change so much. That Italy of 1950 seems so much purer and more beautiful than today's Italy...
I have learned much from this film, even if I had already gleaned most of its lessons from my own life - nonetheless, it remains a powerful reminder of how easy it is to turn selfish and forget those you love, notably your children.
Highly recommended. 10/10.
I think SEPTEMBER AFFAIR is his most rounded effort, of deep psychological insight, and a reminder to all of how selfish it is to deceive your spouse without ever sermonizing.
Joan Fontaine, one of the most beautiful actresses ever, delivers a performance of great perceptiveness and class. She is a woman in love but with a conscience. Joseph Cotten appears here a year after his career-best performance in THE THIRD MAN, and he also posts a highly credible and sensitive performance - though not as fine as Fontaine's.
Françoise Rosay, a grand lady of the French cinema, acts as a kind of Jiminy Cricket conscience to the two lovers - her performance deserves the highest plaudits, too.
As does the soundtrack. I never knew that Walter Huston, Director John Huston's father, could sing - but he certainly can deliver the right note in his rendition of the song, September. The Rachmaninoff concert is brilliantly rendered and the rest of the musical pieces in the soundtrack, including the wonderful Italian song, Santa Lucia, are immaculately played.
Photography and screenplay also rate among the best I have ever come across in romantic pictures.
How sad things change so much. That Italy of 1950 seems so much purer and more beautiful than today's Italy...
I have learned much from this film, even if I had already gleaned most of its lessons from my own life - nonetheless, it remains a powerful reminder of how easy it is to turn selfish and forget those you love, notably your children.
Highly recommended. 10/10.