Films about affairs delve into the complexities of relationships, exploring themes of love, betrayal, passion, and the consequences of infidelity. These narratives, often marked by intense emotions and dramatic turns, offer a window into the intimate struggles and choices of their characters. The stories can vary widely, from tragic to scandalous, sometimes even touching on redemption and forgiveness. The following list includes a selection of films that navigate the turbulent waters of affairs, showcasing how these clandestine relationships can unravel or redefine the lives of those involved.
“Unfaithful”, 2002
Director: Adrian Lyne
Directed by Adrian Lyne, this film explores the descent of a seemingly perfect family into chaos when the wife, played by Diane Lane, embarks on a passionate affair with a stranger she meets by chance. The consequences of her infidelity spiral beyond her expectations, leading to a dramatic and tragic conclusion.
Starring: Diane Lane, Richard Gere, Olivier Martinez, Zeljko Ivanek, Erik Per Sullivan, Michelle Monaghan, Gary Basaraba, Michael Emerson, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Chad Lowe;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: thriller, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Unfaithful” on the website imdb.com
“Match Point”, 2005
Director: Woody Allen
Directed by Woody Allen, this film is set in London and tells the story of a young tennis instructor who becomes entangled in a relationship with his best friend's fiancée. The affair leads him down a dark path of deceit and desperation, culminating in a climactic decision that alters the course of multiple lives.
Starring: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Scarlett Johansson, Emily Mortimer, Brian Cox, Matthew Goode, Penelope Wilton, Ewen Bremner, James Nesbitt, Rupert Penry-Jones, Margaret Tyzack;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: thriller, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
“The English Patient”, 1996
Director: Anthony Minghella
Directed by Anthony Minghella and based on the novel by Michael Ondaatje, this epic romance set against the backdrop of World War II recounts the story of a mysterious, badly burned man recounting his passionate affair with a married woman to his nurse, revealing a tale of love, betrayal, and regret.
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Juliette Binoche, Colin Firth, Willem Dafoe, Naveen Andrews, Julian Wadham, Jürgen Prochnow, Kevin Whately, Clive Merrison;
Production year: 1996;
Genre: drama, melodrama, war;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 162 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “The English Patient” on the website imdb.com
“Brokeback Mountain”, 2005
Director: Ang Lee
Directed by Ang Lee, this film tells the story of two young men who meet in the summer of 1963 while herding sheep on Brokeback Mountain in Wyoming. They form an intense emotional and sexual relationship but must hide their affair from their respective families in a time and place where their love is not accepted.
Starring: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Randy Quaid, Michelle Williams, Anne Hathaway, Linda Cardellini, Anna Faris, David Harbour, Kate Mara, Graham Beckel;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: western, melodrama, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 134 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Brokeback Mountain” on the website imdb.com
“Closer”, 2004
Director: Mike Nichols
Directed by Mike Nichols and based on the play by Patrick Marber, “Closer” delves into the complicated relationships between two couples in London. The film navigates through their liaisons, betrayals, and heartbreaks, examining the brutal honesty and raw emotions involved in their intertwined lives.
Starring: Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Nick Hobbs, Colin Stinton, Steve Benham, Elizabeth Bower, Rene Costa, Ray Donn;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Closer” on the website imdb.com
“The Affair of the Necklace”, 2001
Director: Charles Shyer
This historical drama, directed by Charles Shyer, is loosely based on the true story of Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy and the scandalous affair surrounding a diamond necklace. This affair contributed to the financial crises that led to the French Revolution, blending personal betrayal with political intrigue.
Starring: Hilary Swank, Jonathan Pryce, Simon Baker, Adrien Brody, Brian Cox, Joely Richardson, Christopher Walken, Hayden Panettiere, Simon Kunz, Paul Brooke;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: drama, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 118 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6;
More information about the film “The Affair of the Necklace” on the website imdb.com
“Fatal Attraction”, 1987
Director: Adrian Lyne
Directed by Adrian Lyne, this thriller explores the aftermath of a weekend affair between a married man, played by Michael Douglas, and a single woman, played by Glenn Close. What starts as a brief escape soon turns into a nightmarish ordeal as the woman becomes obsessively attached, threatening the man's family and security.
Starring: Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer, Ellen Latzen, Stuart Pankin, Ellen Foley, Fred Gwynne, Meg Mundy, Tom Brennan, Lois Smith;
Production year: 1987;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Fatal Attraction” on the website imdb.com
These films about affairs not only entertain but also provoke thought by presenting complex characters in morally ambiguous situations, challenging viewers to ponder the nature of love, fidelity, and the consequences of our most intimate choices.
In the landscape of cinema, films about affairs traverse the delicate terrains of human emotions, moral compasses, and intimate relationships, embarking on narratives filled with passion, betrayal, and often, redemption. From the raw edges of heartbreak in “Unfaithful” to the nuanced portrayal of fleeting intimacy in “Brief Encounter,” these stories challenge audiences to confront the complexity of love and fidelity. They unfold the layers of human vulnerability, question societal norms, and ultimately, reveal the multifaceted nature of desire and its consequences. Whether through the lens of scandal or the quiet moments of emotional turmoil, films about affairs invite viewers into the depths of personal upheaval and the quest for self-discovery, leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of cinematic explorations of love.
