bjarias
..it is really not a very good title for what is a pretty good film... when a seriously beautiful and intelligent woman is trapped between relationships with two extremely controlling men, there is nowhere she feels she can go... this is a well acted film, and for all the screen-play productions dealing with similar story lines, this one does it better than most all others... an independent individual wants to feel they are free, but binding themselves to anyone, and they're sure to loose that independence.. life requires compromise, you just do not see it presented in such a direct way as comes about in this film.. and as in real life, there is no automatic clear-cut happy ending..
smatysia
A nice little film, British mostly, that I liked, even though it really contained no actors I was particularly familiar with, aside from Christopher Walken. He was quite good here, playing a relatively normal character (no psychopath or super-villain). Very impressive was Carole Bouquet, playing Kate, a frustrated writer married to Alec (Jonathan Pryce) who was already a well-respected writer. Alec was just about a case study in the way men can be such complete jerks and utterly drive away the women they (think they) love. So, Kate eventually leaves and takes up with (and eventually marries) Vanni (Walken). But she finds things are different with him, but not necessarily better. Strange are the ways of love. I don't suppose Bouquet has a lot of fans in the U.S. but if so, they should definitely catch this film. Anyone ready for something with no murders or explosions might want to check it out. Grade: B
aromatic-2
How could they manage to get two such terrific actors to play burlesque? Walken has a ridiculous hair dye job, and acts like a sex-starved adolescent. Pryce fares slightly better, but only slightly, as the egocentric husband more upset about LOSING his wife than losing HIS WIFE. There are a few good scenes, but overall this is too cliched and contrived to be enjoyed.
strusins
I just finished watching A Business Affair, and I am not displeased with the movie. It was enjoyable. I don't think it's fair to call it a comedy as it wasn't a very funny movie. It was more light hearted (and sometimes heavy hearted) drama.Christopher Walken was superb. As usual. But despite top billing, he's not the main character.Carol Bouquet, as the lead character, was marvelous. I enjoyed her portrayal of a modern woman who struggles with some old problems. She's held down by an egotistical husband (Jonathan Pryce) until she is swept away (in an exciting, and all too plausible affair) by Christopher Walken, her husband's publisher.There is enough heart wrenching done during the affair portion of the movie to show you that each character is all too human. And while we may not identify or approve of what each character ends up doing, I think we can understand it.By the end... some mistakes are repeated (sometimes unexpectedly) by a character I was rooting for. And while it wasn't the ending I would have chosen, it was a "right" ending. Because this is a movie about a woman, and her life and career... it's not about my favorite actor, who once again doesn't get the happy ending.I'm surprised at the low ratings this movie has gotten here. I'd say it's because so many people want to see Christopher Walken playing a psychopath, and don't get into this type of human drama. But I'd be guessing at that. If you expect some blood or fangs, then pass this up. Because here, Christopher Walken is very good in a very human story. Give it a chance.
AD
