September Affair (1950)

Although not in the same league as such other 1950's romance films as An Affair to Remember or Summertime, September Affair is an enjoyable little "weeper" that fans of the genre should take to their hearts. The film certainly has one of the more interesting premises, and if things get a little far-fetched at times, it's okay: no one expects a strict adherence to reality in a romance. It's true that the dialogue is more than a little hokey in places, and that the soap opera machinations of the plot may be a bit much for modern audiences; but when things get a little sticky, there's always some yummy on-location scenery to enjoy. Stars Joan Fontaine and Joseph Cotton also make the going much smoother; if they are not in the same league as, say, Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, they're still capable actors, and watching them get to play against type -- Cotten as a nice romantic lead, Fontaine as a confident and forthright woman -- makes for a welcome change of pace. Jessica Tandy is also good in an early film role, and if William Dieterle's direction is unimaginative, it at least doesn't get in the way. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide