Movies About Affairs

From David Lean, starring Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey
Rated Not Rated

Brief Encounter is a 1945 British romantic drama directed by David Lean and starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard. The film follows the story of a housewife and a doctor who meet and fall in love while both are married to other people. After a series of chance encounters, their love blossoms, but they ultimately must decide whether they will pursue their love or remain loyal to their spouses. The film explores themes of forbidden love, social conventions, and self-sacrifice. It is considered an iconic love story and one of the best British films ever made.

From Mike Nichols, starring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katharine Ross, William Daniels
Rated PG

The Graduate is a classic 1967 American comedy-drama film directed by Mike Nichols and starring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, and Katharine Ross. The film follows recent college graduate Benjamin Braddock (Hoffman) as he is seduced by Mrs. Robinson (Bancroft), an older, married family friend. While in a relationship with Mrs. Robinson, Benjamin falls in love with her daughter Elaine (Ross) and must eventually choose between the two. The film explores themes of post-college uncertainty, as Benjamin is overwhelmed by the expectations of his wealthy, upper-middle class family. The Graduate was a box office hit, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1967 and receiving critical acclaim. The film won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture and was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.

From David Lean, starring Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin, Rod Steiger
Rated PG-13

Doctor Zhivago is a 1965 British-American epic romance drama directed by David Lean, based on the Nobel Prize-winning 1957 Russian novel of the same name by Boris Pasternak. The story follows the life of Yuri Zhivago, a physician and poet, from the pre-World War I period through the Russian Revolution and the Russian Civil War of 1918–1922. The movie centers around Yuri’s romantic relationships with two women: his wife Tonya and the beautiful Lara, who later becomes the wife of Victor Komarovsky, one of Russia's most powerful men. Yuri’s life is further complicated when he is drafted into the army during World War I and is forced to flee his homeland. The film is set against the backdrop of the political and social upheaval of the early 20th century, and follows Yuri’s struggles to survive in a changing Russia while he attempts to maintain his passion for writing and his love for Lara. It is an emotionally powerful and visually stunning journey of self-discovery amidst the chaos of a revolution.

From James Mangold, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick
Rated PG-13

Walk the Line is a biographical drama film released in 2005, which follows the life of country music legend, Johnny Cash. Directed by James Mangold, the film stars Joaquin Phoenix as Cash, Reese Witherspoon as June Carter Cash and Robert Patrick as Cash’s father, Ray. The film chronicles Cash’s early life and rise to fame. It follows his self-destructive behavior and search for his musical identity, as he struggles to make sense of his turbulent family life and escape poverty. Along the way, Cash falls in love with June Carter and finds salvation through his music. Walk the Line is an uplifting story of resilience and redemption, which showcases Cash’s talent, determination, and unwavering faith. It won the Academy Award for Best Actress (Reese Witherspoon) and was nominated for four other Oscars.

From Ang Lee, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams, Randy Quaid
Rated R

Brokeback Mountain is a 2005 romantic drama film directed by Ang Lee, based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Annie Proulx. The film tells the story of two young men, Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal), who meet in the summer of 1963 as shepherds in Wyoming and form a romantic bond that endures for decades. Despite the love they have for each other, the two are forced to hide their relationship due to the intolerance of the time and eventually succumb to societal and family pressures. The film explores the harsh realities of being a closeted homosexual in a small rural town in the American West, and the struggles of maintaining a same-sex relationship in a society which does not accept it. It was widely praised for its performances, direction, and screenplay, and won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, three Academy Awards, and four BAFTAs.

From Woody Allen, starring Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Emily Mortimer, Matthew Goode
Rated R

Match Point follows the story of Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), a former professional tennis player from a working-class background who is taken in by an affluent family. After marrying their daughter, Chris works his way into the upper-class world, becoming a successful businessman and highly respected member of society. However, his past is never far behind, and when he begins an affair with a beautiful American actress (Scarlett Johansson), he is thrust into a dangerous game of love, deception, and ultimately murder. In the end, Chris must decide between his ambition and his conscience, as his choices will have far-reaching consequences.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep, Annie Corley, Victor Slezak
Rated PG-13

The Bridges of Madison County is a 1995 romantic drama film directed by Clint Eastwood and based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Robert James Waller. The film stars Meryl Streep as Francesca Johnson, a married Italian woman living in rural Iowa in the 1960s who embarks on an affair with a National Geographic photographer, Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood). The affair, which lasts a few days, changes both of their lives and has a profound impact on Francesca's family. The film explores themes of love, loss, regret, and redemption. It is a timeless story of passion and longing that has since become a classic.

From Stephen Daldry, starring Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, Bruno Ganz, Jeanette Hain
Rated R

The Reader is a 2008 drama film directed by Stephen Daldry, and based on the novel of the same name by Bernhard Schlink. It stars Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes. The film is set in post-war Germany and is told in a flashback format. It tells the story of Michael Berg, a young German lawyer, who had a brief affair with an older woman, Hanna Schmitz, when he was a teenager in 1958. Twenty years later, he discovers that she was a former SS guard at a concentration camp. The film follows Michael's journey of self-discovery as he struggles to come to terms with the reality of Hanna's past and the guilt that comes with it. It also deals with the themes of love, guilt, the weight of history, and the consequences of moral decisions. In the end, Michael learns that it is possible to find forgiveness and understanding in spite of the mistakes of the past.

From Todd Field, starring Kate Winslet, Jennifer Connelly, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley
Rated R

Little Children is a drama-thriller film directed by Todd Field and based on the novel of the same name by Tom Perrotta. It follows several characters, including Sarah Pierce, a woman dealing with an unhappy marriage, Brad Adamson, a former lawyer and stay-at-home dad, and Ronnie, a convicted sex offender. The film follows the lives of the inhabitants of a suburban neighborhood, each of whom is struggling with problems of their own. Sarah is trying to find meaning in her marriage, Brad is trying to cope with the pressures of parenthood, and Ronnie is struggling with his new life as a pariah. As the story progresses, their lives become intertwined and they all come to realize that they can't escape their pasts. The film tackles issues such as infidelity, judgmental attitudes, and the power of shame. It also explores the blurred lines between public and private life and the consequences of our actions. In the end, each character finds a way to come to terms with their lives, and the film provides an honest and thought-provoking look into the lives of suburban adults.

From Nikolaj Arcel, starring Alicia Vikander, Mads Mikkelsen, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Trine Dyrholm
Rated R

A Royal Affair is a 2012 Danish historical drama film directed by Nikolaj Arcel. Set in the 18th century, it tells the story of the love affair between the British Princess Caroline Mathilda of Great Britain and the German doctor Johann Friedrich Struensee. Struensee is appointed as the personal physician of the mentally ill King Christian VII of Denmark and a trusted courtier. Struensee eventually becomes a trusted advisor to the king and an influential figure in the government, and takes advantage of the opportunity to modernize Denmark and introduce reforms inspired by the Enlightenment. Despite their passionate affair, the couple face several obstacles, including powerful opponents who conspire against them and a society rigidly opposed to their relationship.

From Jane Campion, starring Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, Anna Paquin
Rated R

The Piano is a 1993 drama film written and directed by Jane Campion, starring Holly Hunter, Sam Neill, and Anna Paquin in her first feature-film role. Set in the mid-19th century, the film tells the story of a mute Scottish woman, Ada McGrath (Hunter) who is sent with her young daughter to an arranged marriage in New Zealand. The film follows Ada as she struggles to make a life for herself and her daughter while developing a relationship with her Maori husband, Baines (Neill). Along the way, she also develops an unexpected and passionate relationship with her piano, which she brought with her from Scotland. With the help of her piano, Ada is able to express her emotions and experiences in ways she never thought possible. Ultimately, the film is about Ada's journey to re-discoverng her voice and self-expression through music.

From Anthony Minghella, starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott Thomas
Rated R

From John Curran, starring Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber, Catherine An
Rated PG-13

From Leo McCarey, starring Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Richard Denning, Neva Patterson
Rated Not Rated

From Mike Nichols, starring Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Clive Owen, Julia Roberts
Rated R

From Neil Jordan, starring Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore, Stephen Rea, Heather-Jay Jones
Rated R

From Frédéric Fonteyne, starring Nathalie Baye, Sergi López, Jacques Viala, Paul Pavel
Rated R

From Karel Reisz, starring Meryl Streep, Jeremy Irons, Hilton McRae, Emily Morgan
Rated R

From Saul Dibb, starring Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper, Charlotte Rampling
Rated PG-13

From John McTiernan, starring Pierce Brosnan, Rene Russo, Denis Leary, Ben Gazzara
Rated R

From Kevin Reynolds, starring James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, David O'Hara
Rated PG-13

From Adrian Lyne, starring Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Olivier Martinez, Erik Per Sullivan
Rated R

From Louis Malle, starring Jeremy Irons, Juliette Binoche, Miranda Richardson, Rupert Graves
Rated R

From Joe Wright, starring Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Matthew Macfadyen
Rated R

From Miguel Arteta, starring Jennifer Aniston, Jake Gyllenhaal, Deborah Rush, Mike White
Rated R