Christine Cantwell

A subtle movie that packs an emotional punch. Two thoughtful people living lives of quiet desperation are infatuated with the same shallow glittering young man, proving many old truisms about love: "there's one who kisses and one who is kissed," "love resides more in the lover than the loved", etc. The mystery lies in what happens to the two main characters (a man and a woman) after the movie ends; we can only hope that they seek a love that is requited! Mozart's "Il soave.." aria has haunted me ever after, as did the movie, of course. But, perhaps it's only personal, just like the movie. Schlesinger's portrait of "post-swinging" London is fascinating too, as is Arrighi's set design spot on.+