An Affair to Remember (1957)
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Two strangers find a deep connection aboard a transatlantic ocean liner, only to be separated by a tragic accident and a secret.
The story
Nickie Ferrante, a well-known playboy, meets Terry McKay aboard a transatlantic ocean liner traveling from Europe to New York. Although both are already romantically involved with others, they develop a deep friendship during the voyage. While anchored near Villefranche-sur-Mer, they spend time with Nickie's grandmother, Janou, which intensifies their feelings. They agree to end their current relationships and pursue new careers, planning to reunite at the top of the Empire State Building in six months. However, a tragic accident occurs on the day of their scheduled rendezvous, leaving Terry gravely injured and the two separated.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Nickie Ferrante, a playboy, and Terry McKay meet on a transatlantic ocean liner and form a bond despite both being in other relationships. During a stop at Villefranche-sur-Mer, they visit Nickie's grandmother, Janou, who reveals Nickie's talent as a painter. They agree to meet at the Empire State Building in six months if they can end their current romances. On the day of the meeting, Terry is struck by a car and becomes paralyzed. Unaware of the accident, Nickie leaves the building at midnight, believing she rejected him. Terry, unable to walk, becomes a music teacher and avoids contact. Nickie becomes a successful painter. Six months later, Terry sees Nickie with his former fiancée at a ballet. Nickie later visits Terry on Christmas Eve. While there, he notices a painting on her wall and realizes she was the woman in the wheelchair he had previously gifted a painting to. The film ends with the two embracing as Terry suggests that if he can paint, she can walk.
- First release year
- 1957
- Runtime (minutes)
- 115
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Leo McCarey
- Writers
- Delmer Daves · screenplay; Donald Ogden Stewart · screenplay; Leo McCarey · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Cary Grant · Nickie Ferrante; Deborah Kerr · Terry McKay; Richard Denning · Kenneth Bradley; Neva Patterson · Lois Clark; Cathleen Nesbitt · Janou (Nickie's grandmother); Robert Q. Lewis · himself (announcer); Charles Watts · Ned Hathaway; Fortunio Bonanova · Courbet
- Genres
- romance; drama
- Themes
- Love; Sacrifice; Disability
- Tone and mood
- Romantic; Maudlin; Lush
- Premise and plot tags
- Remake; Romance; Drama; Tragedy
- Source material / true-story basis
- Love Affair (1939)
- Content notes
- Paraplegia
- Reception
- The film received mixed to positive reviews, with some critics finding it maudlin or unrealistic, while others praised its romanticism and emotional impact. It is considered one of the most romantic films ever by the AFI.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 65% · scale: Fresh · review count: 34
- Production trivia
- The film was almost identical to the original on a scene-to-scene basis.; Cary Grant was reportedly grumpy during filming because hypnotherapy caused him to dislike smoking.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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