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The End of the Affair

Name: The End of the Affair
Director: Edward Dmytryk
Released: 1955
Duration: 105 min

Representation Score

1.2/10

Minimal

1955

Director

Edward Dmytryk

Runtime

105 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This mid-century period drama focuses on theological and romantic themes, emphasizing individual spiritual crises within a conventional social order. It lacks the multi-layered complexity found in modern storytelling. While the film explores women's ability to drive the story, it remains tied to the social constraints of its time and upholds traditional Western religious hierarchies. The narrative is localized and Eurocentric, reflecting the demographic limitations of its era.

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Category Breakdown

Does The End of the Affair have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any representations of LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex relationships, operating within an assumption that everyone is straight and cisgender.

How does The End of the Affair portray gender?

Fair

Sarah Miles has significant control over her own story, challenging the idea of the submissive wife. However, the narrative primarily focuses on the male protagonist's journey.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The End of the Affair?

Minimal

The cast is mainly composed of white actors, reflecting the homogeneous demographics of the 1950s. There is no inclusion of diverse ethnic backgrounds.

How does The End of the Affair represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story revolves around Christian theology, using faith and divine intervention to resolve conflicts. It emphasizes traditional Western religious values.

Does The End of the Affair include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not depict any characters with visible or invisible disabilities. Disabilities are not used as narrative devices.

Present on Screen

Sarah Miles is shown as a character with significant control over her own story.
The film offers a nuanced exploration of women's ability to drive the story beyond the submissive wife cliché.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks racial and ethnic diversity, focusing on a homogenous Anglo-Saxon cast.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth characters.
The narrative lacks any portrayal of visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

During the 1940s, Maurice Bendrix, a writer recently discharged from the armed service, falls in love with Sarah Miles, whom he interviews for a book. Sarah is married, but she and Maurice eventually give in to their mutual attraction, leading to an affair that lasts several months. Maurice's jealousy, along with the bombing of London by the Germans, seemingly leads to the end of their relationship. However, the reasons are later revealed to be more complex.

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