An Affair to Remember: A Quick Review

"An Affair to Remember" was released in 1957 and directed by Leo McCarey.  It stars Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr as Nickie Ferrante and Terry McKay, who meet on a boat heading back to New York City.  Naturally they fall in love because that is what generally happens when one watches a romantic comedy.  However, both Nickie and Terry are engaged to other people, so this makes the situation a little be awkward for everyone.  They decide that after they land they will not see each other for six months.  If they still feel the same way about each other in six months they will meet on top of the Empire State Building and get married shortly thereafter.  However, on that night something happens to Terry that prevents her from meeting Nickie.  I'm going to opt to not spoil it for you, in case you feel like seeing it.  Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr had some nice chemistry with each other.  Then again I feel like any actress in the 1930s to 1960s would have chemistry with that man since he was just so charming and irresistible.  Anyways, the story is simple, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.  Older romantic comedies are much better in my opinion.  They just seem less cliched and everything since they are older.  And naturally thanks to the censors they are not trashy.  The cinematography in this film looks quite nice and the filmmakers must have been really happy to get to use technicolor in it.  There were a couple scenes with singing children that I did not appreciate and could have done without.  Singing children, and animals for that matter, do not usually have a place in movies.  One last comment: While the film is usually not laugh out loud funny (it seems to be more of a drama), Cary Grant does have a couple of good one liners.  So I enjoyed the movie.  The story was simple, but good, the stars, talented, and the colors, bright and attractive to look at for slightly less than two hours.  If you like these two actors, old movies, or romantic comedies, I would give it a try.  "An Affair to Remember" actually inspired "Sleepless in Seattle," which I personally don't like, but I understand millions of people do.

-Joseph Sbrilli