The Affair (2019 | Czech Republic | 104 minutes | Julius Sevcik)
In pretty much all regards, The Affair is a gorgeous movie to watch. The cinematography is bold and luscious, the cast (without exception) is extremely photogenic, the costume design is fantastic, and there’s even some pretty remarkable architecture. It’s too bad it’s all for naught in this tepid, pre-war drama.
The Affair revolves around a newlywed couple in 1930’s Czechoslovakia: Liesel and Viktor (Hanna Alström and Claes Bang). They are young and gorgeous and have a fabulous life in an amazing home, which they have built for them by a German architect to show their optimism for the future. It’s based on the real-life Villa Tugendhat in Brno (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and it’s my favorite part of the movie.
There are a couple of major issues that complicate life. Liesel and Viktor both grow distant from their marriage and seek out companionship elsewhere. There’s also the problem of an inevitable Nazi invasion, and Viktor is Jewish.
Viktor seeks out the company of another woman, and Liesel becomes emotionally connected to her best friend Hana (Carice Van Houten). Hana is more free-spirited than Liesel, and is also married. The relationship between the two women is the centerpiece of the film, because it’s so taboo against the geopolitical backdrop of the time, but I just found it melodramatic and uninspiring. When they do finally consummate their relationship (spoiler, sorry), it’s anticlimactic.
The Affair was adapted from a well-regarded novel called The Glass Room by European author Simon Mawer. Most accounts say it’s a great book that I’d be curious to read. I was hoping I’d find more in the movie to recommend. Right now, though, I just want to learn more about the building.
The Affair is in theaters starting Friday, March 5.