Remembering "An Affair to Remember"

Because of Valentine’s Day people usually associate the month of February with romance. I recently discovered another reason to associate February with romance: the entire month is known as “An Affair to Remember Month” in honor of the 1957 romantic classic film An Affair to Remember, starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. Maybe you have a hazy memory of this film that you saw years ago, or maybe you’ve never seen it at all. In either case, I suggest you watch it soon.

The film is gorgeous. Half of it is set on a cruise ship with open seascapes, lavishly dressed cruise-goers, and decadent dining with dancing. This is the place where Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr meet.  Kerr is Terry McKay, a former nightclub singer who’s been studying literature and art.  Grant plays Nickie Ferrante, a world-renowned playboy and ladies’ man.  When the two characters meet they’re instantly attracted to each other, but they’re also both engaged to someone else. Terry tries to resist Nickie’s advances more than he does hers, and despite their attempts to stay apart they’re together so often that other passengers notice. This first part of the picture contains all the witty banter and double entendres you’d expect from a romantic comedy of that time.

In the middle of their voyage, and in the middle of the movie, the cruise ship docks in Italy where Nickie’s grandmother, or Janou, lives. He invites Terry to join him on a visit.  She agrees, and watchers are rewarded with even more breathtaking seaside views.

Terry and Janou become fast friends when they meet, and Janou confides to her how she worries about her grandson.  However, after seeing Nickie with Terry, Janou feels better about his future.  This prompts lots of meaningful stares between Nickie and Terry, and Janou promises to give Terry a beautiful lace shawl.  Terry sings the movie’s theme song in French as Janou plays the piano, and Terry comments more than once on the beauty and tranquility of Janou's home.  But when the ship horn sounds the visit is ended, and at the last second Terry runs to give Janou a hug before departing with Nickie.

The scene with Janou is the turning point in the movie, when the tone turns serious and Nickie and Terry can no longer ignore their love for each other. I don’t want to give away what happens next.  Just watch it. Extend Valentine’s Day into any part of the year and remind yourself that love can win against all odds. But have a box of tissues nearby. The last scene makes me cry every time.