The Rule, Britannia Blogathon–“Brief Encounter” (1945)

I haven’t seen a lot of films made outside the United States, but I’ve been trying do better about doing so. One country that I have seen a fair number of films from is Britain. I’ve found that British films tend to focus more on working class people, with decidedly less glamour–especially films showcasing Britain during or just after World War II. American films featuring British actors taking place in British locales are definitely more glamorous and have higher production values. Mrs. Miniver (1942) featuring British actress Greer Garson, showcases Garson as the titular character living in a gorgeous home on the Thames River. Garson looks gorgeous even as she’s hunkered down in a shelter listening to bombs falling on and around her home.

Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson in “Brief Encounter.”

The British film, Brief Encounter (1945), taking place around the same time period as Mrs. Miniver, features a decidedly less glamorous and more realistic setting. The two protagonists of the film, Laura Jesson (Celia Johnson) and Alec Harvey (Trevor Howard), are not glamorous. They are not Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant. Laura and Alec are two regular people, not hideous, not extraordinarily beautiful, just two average people. If someone saw the two of them sitting at a table in a train station cafe, they wouldn’t give them a second look–except if they are Dolly Messiter (Everley Gregg). Dolly, an acquaintance of Laura’s, spots her friend sitting at one of the tables. Laura, clearly upset, sits idly while Dolly blathers on incessantly. Laura eventually boards a train and returns home to her husband, Fred, and their two children.

After tucking her children into bed, Laura returns to the living room where she grabs her mending and Fred grabs the newspaper’s daily crossword puzzle. It is clear that this is Laura and Fred’s usual nightly routine, the two of them sitting quietly, occasionally chatting when Fred asks Laura for help with an Up or Down clue. As Laura starts mending, her internal struggles take over, preventing her from putting down even a single stitch. She looks at Fred, blissfully completing his crossword puzzle, unaware of her emotional conflict. Laura’s voiceover takes over, as she confesses the cause of her conflict–the brief affair she had with Alec.

Laura explains that she met Alec during her weekly Thursday jaunt to Milford, where she shops and attends a matinee film. While at the train station, a piece of dirt gets into her eye. One of the other passengers, Dr. Alec Harvey, jumps in to assist. The next week, Laura and Alec happen to meet again outside a pharmacy. It turns out that Alec also visits Milford on Thursdays to perform consultant work at the local hospital. Laura and Alec make a lunch date for the next Thursday and end up seeing the afternoon matinee film together. Soon, they are making a point to meet up every Thursday.

Laura and Alec say goodbye at the train station

In her voiceover, Laura expresses the shame as well as the excitement she felt during these weekly dates with Alec. Mending clothing and helping her husband with his crossword puzzle is clearly not bringing Laura the fulfillment that she seeks in life. This affair with Alec, a man who ignites something in Laura, previously unknown, brings her the exhilaration she desires. However, she expresses guilt when the lunch dates start to turn romantic and she and Alec are teetering on the edge of infidelity.

LAURA: It’s awfully easy to lie when you know that you’re trusted implicitly. So very easy and so very degrading.

Celia Johnson as “Laura Jesson” in Brief Encounter (1945)

As the audience, we are just as conflicted as Laura. She seems so unhappy in her average, middle class home, with her average middle class husband. Laura seems to be living comfortably and has two children. From all appearances, she is living the life many women seek. However, her life as no drama, no excitement. It is very routine and monotonous. Not much is known about Alec’s life, his wife and children are never shown, however, it is easy to imagine that his life is similar to Laura’s. However, he is someone different and exciting. From Laura’s narration, we know that the relationship has ended, but it’s hard to feel happy about it because Laura looks and sounds so miserable. The ending of this film is very bittersweet, but realistic. Would we want Alec and Laura to give up their respective marriages and families for a brief encounter at the train station?

David Lean makes excellent use of the train and train station as an allegory for the film’s themes.

Celia Johnson’s performance as Laura is what makes the film. She is absolutely heartbreaking in this film and as an audience member, you empathize with her. Without any words, a flood of emotions run across her face, from happiness, to regret, to pride, to shame, as she recollects her relationship with Alec. The scene where it appears like she and Alec might take their relationship to the next level, but then are interrupted, is heartbreaking. It’s not heartbreaking because they weren’t able to take it to the next level, but rather for the amount of embarrassment and shame she feels to have been caught as “the other woman.”

ALEC: I do love you, so very much. I love you with all my heart and soul.

LAURA: I want to die. If only I could die…

ALEC: If you’d die, you’d forget me. I want to be remembered.

Trevor Howard as “Alec Harvey” and Celia Johnson as “Laura Jesson” in Brief Encounter (1945)

Director David Lean also utilized trains to excellent effect in this film. The train and train station are central characters in the film. The train station is where the main story starts and ends as it represents the beginning and end to Laura and Alec’s affair. This is where they meet and where they ultimately part ways. The train station is where people from all walks of life, regardless of class, occupation, marital status, etc. will cross paths and interact. The train is used to good effect as it often interrupts Laura and Alec’s affair, forcing them to return home to their respective spouses. Laura’s reflection is shown often in the train windows, as she contemplates her affair and how it’ll affect her marriage and family. Laura’s reflection, combined with the steam from the train and the nighttime, gives the film a dreamlike quality. As she rides into the night, Laura dreams about spending time with Alec, only for her dreams to shatter when the train pulls into the brightly lit station in her home town–bringing her back to reality.

Brief Encounter makes an amazing use of reflection during Laura’s train scenes.

I highly recommend Brief Encounter, as it is one of the most romantic films ever made. It doesn’t have a trite, tacked on happy ending. While infidelity isn’t romantic and shouldn’t be celebrated, it’s hard to not feel sad for Laura. This woman seems utterly heartbroken to have to return home to her husband and his crossword puzzles, when she could be jet-setting with Alec to exotic locales. However, she knows that she and Alec needed to end their clandestine affair, for the sake of their families and reputation. The clincher comes during their final meeting at the train station when Laura and Alec lean in for a passionate kiss, but other passengers turn the corner and come into view. The couple quickly separate and go their separate ways down the dark corridor. Suddenly, Laura is seen in her living room with her husband taking a break from his crossword to get her attention. This scene is absolutely heartbreaking and the cherry on top of a perfect film.

FRED: You’ve been a long way away.

LAURA: Yes

FRED: Thank you for coming back to me.

Cyril Raymond as “Fred Jesson” and Celia Johnson as “Laura Jesson” in Brief Encounter.