AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER (1957) - ♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Leo McCarey

Written by - Delmer Daves, Donald Ogden Stewart, Leo McCarey, Mildred Cram

Starring - Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr

"When it comes to soap operatic romantic comedies, it's easy to pinpoint An Affair to Remember by Leo McCarey as one that laid out the blueprints for many works to follow.

The film tells the story of a soon to be bride falling in love with a man on a cruise, who is also engaged. Despite their commitments, they can't seem to be able to control their attraction for each other, and fully embrace their fleeting romance through an unstoppable strengthening bond.

Thus, the legendary twist. They arrange to meet sometime in the future on top of the Empire State Building. If they both show up, the future will have them together.

Despite some ageing, one can't help but admire the many racy themes that defied the staleness of the conventional cinematic take on romantic storylines. The film stalls towards the middle, and has its fair share of scattered cliche, McCarey's feature is occasionally able to surprise its viewers through unexpected twists that enhance the dramatic tension of the story and the scale of this seemingly forsaken romance.

Drama, USA