A movie director and producer can take a direction either toward realism or toward some type of fantasy or horror. Many times movie watchers want a fantasy, something to take you away from your life and entertain. This movie has elements of fantasy. Who wouldn't want a quickly developing romance with such a beautiful French girl? But then reality sets in. Maybe some viewers would be sorry that reality ruined the fantasy. However, we have all watched our variations of the classic Greek tragedy. Act of Love is like a 20th century Greek tragedy. Maybe they didn't all live happily after, but we still could relate to the characters and their story. Maybe this is another movie where "We'll always have Paris."
Of course Kirk Douglas has probably never made a bad movie. His nuanced performance here might be under-appreciated by some. I thought it was just right for the part. We could feel what he was feeling. But then there is the French beauty Dany Robin. I don't care what the media voted her, I thought she was wonderful in this movie. Her eyes especially, so beautiful whether she was in extreme sadness or in a moment of sheer joy. So spunky yet so vulnerable. I only wish I could see her in more movies. Barbara Laage was also special in the early parts of the movie.
The many other bit parts are all played well. I also get the impression that while it is not a war movie in the classic sense, that the story and its setting played true. Liberated Paris just before the end of WWII was probably just about like that.
All in all, a movie well worth watching.
Of course Kirk Douglas has probably never made a bad movie. His nuanced performance here might be under-appreciated by some. I thought it was just right for the part. We could feel what he was feeling. But then there is the French beauty Dany Robin. I don't care what the media voted her, I thought she was wonderful in this movie. Her eyes especially, so beautiful whether she was in extreme sadness or in a moment of sheer joy. So spunky yet so vulnerable. I only wish I could see her in more movies. Barbara Laage was also special in the early parts of the movie.
The many other bit parts are all played well. I also get the impression that while it is not a war movie in the classic sense, that the story and its setting played true. Liberated Paris just before the end of WWII was probably just about like that.
All in all, a movie well worth watching.