'The Young Lovers' is a polished, suspenseful and deeply affecting cinematic offering from Anthony Asquith that showcases the all-consuming passion that ignites between two young lovers from opposing sides of the Iron Curtain.
Anna and Ted both work in 1950's London and represent their governments. Stationed in a foreign city, they are undoubtedly somewhat lonely. One evening at a performance of 'Swan Lake', these adrift souls find solace with one another in a tenderly-realised scene. Quickly, the diplomatic limits imposed by their work matter less and less as they fall deeply in love. While they continue to meet and arouse suspicion quickly, Anna and Ted are both shown to be exemplary, hard-working representatives of their respective governments. Their diligence and their commitment to their roles makes their instant attraction and the gentle, heartfelt unfurling of their love affair all the more beautiful and exquisite to behold. As their burgeoning closeness is ever-more stymied by overbearing political suspicion, they cannot bear to be apart and venture bravely forth in an attempt to find a third way; a realm in which love can triumph over distrust and enmity. As Anna and Ted sail away, gathered protagonists from East and West come to realise somewhat the pervasive extent of their ingrained suspicions.
Asquith's egalitarian principles are again evident in this movie. Characters are presented in a level-headed, realistic and sympathetic manner. A plea for increased understanding, acceptance and trust courses through the narrative of this movie. Newcomer David Knight is good in his role of Ted but, for me, the beating heart that drives the movie on and imprints it upon one's memory is the wonderfully fragile and believable performance of Odile Versois as Anna.
The romance and suspense combine together nicely, aided by fine cinematography from Jack Asher, to create a wholly engrossing evocation of love striving against imposed and unnecessary barriers. This is a movie to make one's heart beat faster and leave one appreciative of the vitality, the beauty and the boundless yearnings of youth.
Anna and Ted both work in 1950's London and represent their governments. Stationed in a foreign city, they are undoubtedly somewhat lonely. One evening at a performance of 'Swan Lake', these adrift souls find solace with one another in a tenderly-realised scene. Quickly, the diplomatic limits imposed by their work matter less and less as they fall deeply in love. While they continue to meet and arouse suspicion quickly, Anna and Ted are both shown to be exemplary, hard-working representatives of their respective governments. Their diligence and their commitment to their roles makes their instant attraction and the gentle, heartfelt unfurling of their love affair all the more beautiful and exquisite to behold. As their burgeoning closeness is ever-more stymied by overbearing political suspicion, they cannot bear to be apart and venture bravely forth in an attempt to find a third way; a realm in which love can triumph over distrust and enmity. As Anna and Ted sail away, gathered protagonists from East and West come to realise somewhat the pervasive extent of their ingrained suspicions.
Asquith's egalitarian principles are again evident in this movie. Characters are presented in a level-headed, realistic and sympathetic manner. A plea for increased understanding, acceptance and trust courses through the narrative of this movie. Newcomer David Knight is good in his role of Ted but, for me, the beating heart that drives the movie on and imprints it upon one's memory is the wonderfully fragile and believable performance of Odile Versois as Anna.
The romance and suspense combine together nicely, aided by fine cinematography from Jack Asher, to create a wholly engrossing evocation of love striving against imposed and unnecessary barriers. This is a movie to make one's heart beat faster and leave one appreciative of the vitality, the beauty and the boundless yearnings of youth.