Brief Encounter (PG)

I think a lot of us have had our senses deadened by the mass-market Harlequin tripe that David Lean pokes fun at in the cinema title viewed by the couple ("Flames of Passion"), if not by the soft-core pornography of contemporary television and film. This is a meaningful and sad little film with a very gentle and tender depiction of the couple's dilemma that doesn't cheapen their feelings by flinging them into bed like modern movies or pulp bosom-heaving romances. For its excellent depiction of accidental love restrained, the film has universal value, not just historical.

Sorry, folks, but I agree with Dave Calhoun's review. This film might have been so shocking in 1946 that censors in Ireland and elsewhere felt the need to ban it, but come on, Laura and her beloved Alec shared only a few kisses and then went back to their respective spouses. Like Jimmy Carter they may have had lust in their hearts but their lust was so restrained they didn't act on it, which is rather amazing given that by 1945 they already had the example of Edward VIII giving up his throne for love. Brief Encounter is about as magical as a typical Harlequin romance novel, although it is somewhat interesting as a glance into its time period.

Mr. Calhoun is way off the mark here. BRIEF ENCOUNTER is simply one of the greatest films of all time and I don't need to explain why.

One of my all time favorite movies...I was a big Trevor Howard fan.

Dave Calhoun, you don't understand the film. I think that Laura and Alec had sexit would have destroyed the film and removed enormously from the power of the narative. I'm 18,and every time i the part of the film were they kiss for the first time, i'm as shocked and surprised as i would if Termintor killed someone or Joe Pesci swears. You don't deserve to have a computer to write such rubbish

What an incredibly negative review Dave Calhoun writes about this amazing film. It's very much a film of its time, of course, but it is as a window on the mores of post war Britain that makes this film so interesting. Photographically the film is excellent and the railway station setting with steam and dark shadows is captured so well in this black and white film. I haven't seen the recently released digitally remastered version but am very much looking forward to doing so.

Some critics are determined to appear intelligent by finding fault in excellence. Dave Calhoun not only fits this category, but seems to have had an emotional bypass along the way. Brief Encounter is pure magic and saying otherwise would be meerly speaking for the sake of speaking. Calhoun, we pity you - open your heart. Also, please post me the number of the chic who screwed you up, I owe her a drink.