Films To Watch Before You Die #73 - Enduring Love (2004)

D.J. Haza presents the next entry in his series of films to watch before you die…

Enduring Love, 2004.

Directed by Roger Michell.
Starring Daniel Craig, Rhys Ifans, Samantha Morton, Bill Nighy and Susan Lynch.

Enduring Love is based upon the Ian McEwan novel and follows the story of how two strangers become entangled in a game of unrequited love after witnessing a deadly accident. Joe (Craig) is openly cynical towards love, despite being in a long term relationship with Claire (Morton). As the two of them share a picnic in the countryside their bliss is broken by a hot air balloon drifting across the field in some trouble. The pilot manages to get out, but a young boy remains stranded in the balloon. Joe and several other men manage to catch the balloon and hold the anchor rope, but a gust of wind lifts the balloon into the air and all of the men except one manage to jump and land safely. The final man is lifted into the air, lets go and then plunges to his death.

When Joe goes to retrieve the body of the fallen man he meets with Jed (Ifans) and becomes the object of his affections. As Jed emerges in several locations with Joe he tries to build a friendship only to be knocked back, but his affection continues to grow stronger and Jed begins to stalk Joe. As Jed’s presence becomes ever more menacing Joe fears for himself and his partner, with whom his relationship has been struggling since the accident. As Joe tries to rid his life of Jed, things a take a turn for the worst and another grim incident is on the cards.

Enduring Love is a tense and turbulent film that explores love, relationships and emotion as well as how life can change with one simple incident that can never be undone. Quite subtle and underplayed through much of the film, the main characters are average people dealing with their lives and feels as if this could happen to anyone.

Enduring Love is a film you must see before you die as it brings together some of Britain’s finest actors in Craig, Morton, Ifans and the supporting cast to create a dark tale that offers a brilliant alternative to the typically British love story.