Review

Jordan's exquisite and mostly faithful adaptation of Graham Greene's semiautobiographical novel, The End of the Affair features remarkable performances, gorgeous cinematography, and an outstanding Michael Nyman score. Maurice Bendrix (Fiennes) begins an erotic affair with Sarah Miles (Moore), who ends things for no apparent reason. Two years after this divisive break, Maurice and Sarah reunite through her cuckolded husband, Henry (Rea), and emotions begin to simmer again. Jordan keeps the tension mounting as Maurice slowly discovers what changed in his relationship with Sarah. Yet what makes the film so passionate is that in the present or in the past, every touch between the lovers is palpable and heartfelt. Fiennes and Moore are extraordinary in the lead roles, and they are ably supported by Rea and, as a detective, Hart. The second screen version of Greene's novel, this End of the Affair is heartbreaking and very moving.