September Affair

Two years before Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck tripped the light fantastic in Roman Holiday, Paramount was already exploring the possibilities of shooting in Italy with September Affair. One only wishes that Paramount had splurged for color the way 20th Century Fox did in Three Coins In A Fountain.

Using the Kurt Weill-Maxwell Anderson as a theme, a pair of mature individuals have a mid life fling in Italy. What Joseph Cotten and Joan Fontaine are handed is a one in a million chance to escape their lives and responsibilities when they miss an airplane flight going to the United States and their families and friends think they've died.

Cotten is an engineer who is going through his usual midlife crisis as his marriage to Jessica Tandy has grown stale. Fontaine is unmarried and has not seen America since 1938. She's devoted herself to preparing for a career as a concert pianist. I wish the film had devoted some explanation as to why she was stuck in an enemy country during World War II and what she did to survive. They meet on the plane, but don't reboard when it comes down in Naples for repairs that obviously were not successful.

In order to support them. Cotten pre-dates a check to Francoise Rosay who is Fontaine's mentor for a large palazzo in Florence. Pre-dates to before the crash and when the estate is being tallied up, Tandy notices it, but let's it slide through.

It's an idyllic setting for lovers, but pretty soon conscience calls and it practically shouts when Tandy and their son Robert Arthur visit Italy.

September Affair is a wonderful picture about mature people for mature people. Cotten and Fontaine have a wonderful chemistry and Jessica Tandy's performance is pure poignancy. It holds up very well after 60 years.

Just wish it was in color.

I've been a Joan fan for a while now, so when I saw the laser disc for this movie I got it right away.

I was definitely not disappointed.

This movie has got a great story that could actually happen in real life.

Joan gives a great performance as usual, of course Joseph is also perfect as the man she falls in love with at the same time saving her life.

A great movie to watch if you like romance and a beautiful setting for a movie Italy.

This is my favourite movie of all time.

I often watch this with friends and family who have never seen the movie and I dare not tell the ending. It is very romantic and at the same time a bit sappy as hollywood Romance movies go.

This movie along with An Affair To Remember and Imitation of Life will have most of you in tears. A great 3-pack weekend tear-jerker selection.

September Affair is unique in the sense that even though the plot line seems far fetched...It actually could happen and has probably crossed a few peoples minds at that. This movie is not to be missed.

Do not Rent this one, purchase it and I assure you you will watch this one over, and over again. I give this movie a 10 out of 10.

Enjoy all you lovers.

Peter.

All the comments about this film are favorable except for Mr. Neil Doyle's. I wonder what grumpy pill he took when he watched this or maybe he just isn't a romantic guy. Not one person said his review was "helpful."

This film is well-acted, scripted, and an interesting premise. The music is fabulous and the setting great. Like another reviewer said, Joan Fontaine's facial expressions say as much or more than the words she was given to speak. She is one excellent actress and Joseph Cotten is a veteran actor who once again turns in a fabulous performance.

I unconditionally recommend this movie to all classic movie lovers to fans of Joan Fontaine and/or Joseph Cotten and to all romantics everywhere.

If anyone thinks that Walter Huston's singing is the memorable aspect of this film, they are mistaken or just dead emotionally.

Yes, a small amount of disbelief, some details not developed but such a context for a love affair. Very Beautiful. A simple post WWII romantic film shot with wonderful Italian backdrops.

Joan Fontaine is of course the jewel in this film. Beautiful haunting displays of emotion and thoughts. A wonderful performance in a thought provoking film. If you ever had the opportunity, would you leave the life you live now for the life you imagine that would make you blissful?