L'amore che ci incatena

"Affair with a Stranger" is an excellent, though poorly named, movie. It's really not about an affair but what could become one unless both the husband and wife attend to their marriage instead of their respective careers. And, it's a good object lesson for couples.

When the film begins, the star of William Blakeley's latest play calls a gossip columnist to announce that she is about to run off with married Blakeley (Victor Mature). It seems, however, a tad premature as no affair has yet occurred...but the lady's 'female intuition' tell her he'll soon be hers. What follows is a very interesting story....told through flashbacks as the couple's friends read the gossip column and then recall the ups and downs of the Blakeley marriage. And, in every case, the folks love the Mr. and Mrs. (Jean Simmons) and wish the story wasn't true...which, it really isn't...though the marriage is in trouble though neither the husband nor wife realize it. It seems over time, they both began focusing too much on their own careers...and this puts the marriage in serious jeopardy.

I liked this film for many reasons. The leads were both at their best and the story really was intelligently written and adult--and I mean that in the best possible way. In other words, it's not sleazy but a good drama illustrating a great object lesson couples could learn from and avoid. Well worth seeing.

I really enjoyed this film. I have never seen a black and white movie filmed with the theme of flashbacks. the plotline is interesting and even though it is from the 50's everyone can relate. It is clearly a movie that will stand the test of time. The best thing about the movie is the way the lead actor can so eloquently portray the man who lives off a dream. The lead actress also does a great job, in my opinion she is very good and i would like to see more of her movies. This film is special because it was the first to film a child actor. That was told to me by my grandmother so I am sincerely sorry if I am wrong about the child actor thing. All in all this is a great movie and I give it 9 stars.

Jean Simmons is always reliably good, while Victor Mature sometimes can be awful. Here they are teamed together in a marriage that maybe never should have been. Actually, Jean Simmons is advised against it, and Victor Mature is really not much to have, as a playwright of flops and with a bad habit of gambling and losing. Still she accepts him and mothers him, which he needs, and eventually he makes a success and even gets rich, so he doesn't have to gamble any more. She gets pregnant but loses her child and can't have any more, so the marriage is put to some test. Then a scandal beauty and imprudent actress gets the ambition to hook him and spreads some premature news to a dirty columnist, far too sure of herself as an actress, imagining she has him all wrapped up. The film starts with the columnist incident and then tells the long story of the marriage by flashbacks, eventually returning to the present, both Jean Simmons and Victor Mature getting highly surprised by finding the news of their divorce in the paper. They never even had thought of it. That's the argument of the film.

It's not an uninteresting film, above all it's fascinating as a study in the mechanics of a marriage, what makes it hold and what may threaten it. A certain child also plays an important part, he was later the brother in Charles Laughton's famous "The Night of the Hunter", and on the whole, the story is well written and gets some interesting turns. It is great entertainment on a high level, and the twist in the end to all the predicaments can't leave anyone dissatisfied.

Having just watched this I thought I'd post a comment.

A fine film, with lots of deft touches.

Victor Mature is very enjoyable to watch in this.

Jean Simmons is perfect for her role.

And supporting the story there is a range of wonderfully talented actors who play their parts so well.

It is old fashioned, sure, but that is no bad thing.

Definitely worth a watch. The script is good.

Highly enjoyable and very entertaining.

I rate this 8 out of 10.

When a television personality provides announces the breakup of a famous married couple, Bill Blakely (Victor Mature ) and wife.... their friends talk and think about the couple and their relationship. Jean Simmons is the young starlet on the rise, who is apparently coming between the married couple. This one has a lot in common with "A Star is Born".. which was first made in 1937. And of course, the Judy remake in 1954, right after THIS film. It's a little confusing. Seems to end a bit abruptly. Not a lot of rhyme or reason. Directed by Roy Rowland. Didn't win any Oscars, but made some pretty well known films. Was also married to Louis Mayer's neice. One fun note: Alvy Moore apparently filmed scenes for the film, but they were left on the floor... he was Hank Kimball in Green Acres ! It might have been fun to leave those scenes in.... guess we'll never see them now. So many roles in the cast list here were uncredited or deleted. The kid "Timmy" was child actor Billy Chapin... appears to have quit hollywood before he hit age 20.