Excellent but underrated film

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

French painter Michel Marnet (Charles Boyer) and American singer Terry McKay (Irene Dunne) fall for each other on the Atlantic crossing. He is engaged to heiress Lois Clarke (Astrid Allwyn) and she to Kenneth Bradley (Lee Bowman). They stop at Michel's grandmother Janou (Maria Ouspenskaya) in Madeira which solidifies the relationship. As they get to NYC, they agree to clear up their lives to meet 6 months later at the top of the Empire State Building. Michel abandons the life of a playboy for a simple billboard painter while Terry is struck in the streets on the way to the Empire State Building.The movie starts with a questionable premise because the two leads are having a love affair. The fact that this movie works so well is that they are able to maneuver around that. Irene Dunne is absolutely winning and that is a large part of its success. This isn't all gloom and doom. The movie has some very funny lighter moments. The later encounters between the lovers are heart-breaking and that's what put the movie over the top.

(If I could have given this an 8.5 star review I would have. But it's up there as one of the best.) If you're a romantic and love fine acting, few films beat the story and acting in this fine film. And you'll never forget it - which is, of course, the sign of a great film. One reason it is so moving is it demonstrates the best in humanity and loving people, with a subtlety and nuance that is rarely seen in films - certainly since the '30s and '40s. And if you are not yet a fan of Charles Boyer, you will be after this film. And...Irene Dunne - to say this is one of her finest movies is really saying something because she put in some really stellar performances in film. If you're not crying at the end, like a baby, you don't have a heart! What a great great story - and so unique. Although it was remade later (at least twice that I know of) - and An Affair To Remember with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr was quite good - this is the original version and the very best telling of the story. This defines true romance and love!!!

'Love Affair' is an astonishingly beautiful and tender movie that, thanks to consummate technical contributions, makes a fair play at being the definitive Hollywood romance. Perusing the credits, one absorbs all those names of legend. From Leo McCarey all the way down, they certainly succeeded in enveloping a relatively straight-forward scenario in the most delicate and all-consuming of atmospheres. McCarey said that he liked his characters 'to walk in clouds' and that he wished to portray a 'little bit of the fairy-tale' in his movies. A dreamy, entrancing mood is created early on and sustained throughout. The soft-focus cinematography of the wonderful Rudolph Mate is instrumental in expressing the fleet-footed and gaily ethereal air of the ship-bound scenes. Such technical excellence, allied to a first-class screenplay by Delmer Daves and Donald Ogden Stewart, gives an added wallop to the emotional impact delivered by several unforgettable acting performances.Chief among these is that of Irene Dunne. This is the finest that I have ever seen her, and that really is saying quite something! 'Love Affair' would have been half the movie it is, with any other actress in the role of Terry. She inhabits the role so perfectly and brings an uncomplicated timelessness to proceedings. The chemistry between Terry and Charles Boyer's Michel is palpable, from their very first inspired meeting through a port-hole window, and this feeds into the ambiance of adventurous light-heartedness. There is a charming, whimsical vitality and freshness to the subliminal glances and little, knowing giggles of the first half.Dunne said that 'comedy demands more timing, pace, shading and subtlety of emphasis. It is difficult to learn but once it is acquired it can be easily slowed down and becomes an excellent foundation for dramatic acting'. The gay abandon of the repartee and ensuing romance is an enduring example of this quote being realised in the most captivating fashion. Dunne is funny and vivacious and reveals what fantastic dramatic capabilities she possessed. Watching 'Love Affair' in a double-bill with 'My Favorite Wife' allows one to realise the incredible range and depth of personality that she managed to impart.The tranquil sojourn on Madeira with Michel's grandmother (Maria Ouspenskaya) adds immeasurable profundity to the movie. The place is so quiet and peaceful that it makes for a tremendous framing device. The audience sees Terry and Michel in a more revealing and personal light away from the prying, inquisitive eyes aboard the ship. It would seem that Boyer suggested the grandmother scenes as a way of fleshing-out his playboy character. It certainly was a swell idea by him, if so!The ensuing tragedy and eventual reconciliation of lovers is beautifully and poignantly presented. 'An Affair to Remember' has rather usurped this movie in the collective consciousness, but the later version has nothing on the texture and feeling that permeates right through this picture. This is the version that should nestle in the hearts of movie-lovers the world over. Otis Ferguson put it well when he said that 'clichés of situation and attitude are lifted almost beyond recognition by a morning freshness of eye for each small thing around'. 'Love Affair' is nigh on the quintessential Hollywood romance and a movie to eternally cherish for its all-round beauty and refined, romantic charm.

Irene Dunne is kind of forgotten which is a real sadness for me because if you are a fan of classic Hollywood movies you're really missing out on a wonderful actor who is adept at comedy, drama and musicals. She's also sweet to look at and makes other actresses of her time and ours pale in all manners of comparisons.Charles Boyer is charming and witty - and I feel although his name may be more remembered than Dunne's - extremely underrated. I hope that those who view this film will be compelled to watch his other movies, especially Gaslight and a later movie where I love him most, Barefoot in the Park. I feel it's in this later film his talent shines most.This film is, as several others have pointed out, is the original, the remakes are An Affair to Remember with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, and then the most recent Love Affair starring Warren Beatty, Annette Benning and Katherine Hepburn (in her last screen role). I've never seen the latter but have viewed the former many time and while it's enjoyable much prefer Dunne and Boyer in the original which must have to do a lot with the wonderful director Leo McCarey.Leo McCarey is an extremely interesting directer because he was versatile and successful at directing popular award winning comedies as well as award nominated dramas (which have now achieved great appreciation).I would urge anyone who has an interest in classic Hollywood to view this fine film, or anyone who would like to see Dunne at her finest and of course Boyer too. Although as I previously mentioned I'm of the opinion that when Boyer was free of the studio system his talents brilliantly shine through in ways which his earlier roles could never allow. And for anyone curious (and I hope there are many) in the talents of Dunne and director McCarey.Even if the print is off (which others have noted) it does not inhibit the fabulous talent of director and stars. It's a wonderful film and worthy of loving attention and adulation. My wishes and hopes are that more film lovers will open their hearts to a forgotten film like the original Love Affair. After all, there's a good reason why Hollywood wanted to remake not once but twice - it's a gem.