Celia Johnson

This was indeed a very brief encounter, but it is one Laura and Alec will remember forever, and this is a film that similarly lingers long after its conclusion.

David Lean’s Brief Encounter is on the surface a tale about unrequited love, much like many other romantic films past and present (from Casablanca to My Best Friend’s Wedding). What differentiates it from the others is the film’s foray into Laura’s thoughts.