INDISCRETION OF AN AMERICAN WIFE

Italy/USA, 1954, 75 minutes, Black and white.
Jennifer Jones, Montgomery Clift, Gino Cervi, Richard Beymer.
Directed by Vittorio de Sica.

Indiscretion of an American Wife was produced and directed by celebrated Italian director Vittorio de Sica. It was written by his frequent collaborator, author Cesare Zavattini. English dialogue was by Truman Capote. The whole film was a David O. Selznick production for his wife, Jennifer Jones.

The film is brief, an attempt to echo the very popular Noel Coward/David Lean collaboration, Brief Encounter. However, it lacks the strength of characters, the tension of interaction of fidelity and infidelity. Jennifer Jones is a glamorous Philadelphia wife, Montgomery Clift a young Italian. Gino Cervi appears briefly as a magistrate. The young Richard Beymer is Jennifer Jones's nephew.

The film was made in its locations, shows the detail of life a Stazione Termini.

1. Interesting drama? Italian/American co-production? The work of Vittorio de Sica and Cesare Zavattini? Their sensitivity?

2. The use of Rome, the station, the authentic locations? The short period of time? Musical score?

3. The original title of the story being Stazione Terminus - and the American title?

4. The focus on Mary, her writing the letter to Giovanni? Her glamorous appearance? Arrival at the station, her luggage, the dress for her daughter? The train? The encounter with Giovanni, talking, the attempt to say goodbye, her thinking about her family and husband? The suggestions about the affair? Her wanting to go and not wanting to go? The bond between herself and Giovanni? Her phone call to her sister, the question of her luggage, on the train? Her nephew's arrival, his devotion to his aunt, suspicions of Giovanni? His being sent off - and the accident of seeing him again? The clash with Giovanni, his slapping Mary, Paul observing it? Mary and her wandering? The scenes in the cafes, the talk? In the deserted carriage? The police, their being taken to the magistrate? The discussions, the truth about the affair? The imminent departure of the train? The magistrate and his leniency? The farewell? Mary going on the train - back to her life?

5. The sketch of Giovanni - the audience not knowing much about him, Montgomery Clift's presence and style? His finding Mary, the anxious talks in the restaurants? Paul's arrival and the tension? The confrontation, his slapping Mary? His searching for her, finding her, in the deserted carriage? With the magistrate?

6. The people at the station? The odd characters? The ordinary characters? The shop assistants? The restaurants? The magistrate at the police and his work at the station? His concern, compassion?

7. Paul, his devotion to his aunt, his suspicions and bewilderment, witnessing the slap?

8. The attempt to portray the romance, the breaking up of the affair? The effect on each of the characters?