Love Affair

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Love Affair

1939

1h 27m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

92%

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12 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Engaged ladies' man Michel Marnet (Charles Boyer) encounters spoken-for singer Terry McKay (Irene Dunne) aboard a transatlantic cruise, where sparks fly and a romance ensues. Once they reach New York, Michel and Terry agree to go back to their significant others, then meet atop the Empire State Building in six months, when both are free to pursue their affair. Though a tragic accident forestalls their reunion, Terry and Michel still hold out hope for a chance to rekindle their true love.

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Derek Smith

Slant Magazine

Mar 8, 2022

Dunne and Boyer’s performances [have] a looseness and spontaneity that nicely complements Terry and Michel’s instant and powerful connection.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Feb 28, 2022

5/5

You find yourself screaming: “Just tell him the truth, Terry! He loves you! It’ll be fine!”

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Pare Lorentz

McCall's

Dec 27, 2023

The neatest and most expert movie of the spring is a light comedy, Love Affair, and as it was produced as well as directed by Leo McCarey, and as it shows a skill away and above anything we have had in a long time.

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Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Mar 17, 2022

It’s a handsome, humorously inclined tragedy which plays like the blithe counterpart to something like David Lean’s Brief Encounter.

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Rob Aldam

Backseat Mafia

Feb 21, 2022

One of those beautiful romantic comedies which takes you in directions you would have never expected

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Jan 29, 2009

A

Meticulously directed by Leo McCarey and splendidly acted by Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne, this is the first and best screen version of the romantic drama that McCarey himself remade in 1957 with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, and Warren Beatty in 1994.

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bruce C

@bruce999 Aug 3, 2026

it may be better than 'an affair to remember'. has a similar story. its fun to watch don't miss it.

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Forrest M

@RT32281296 Jun 7, 2026

"Love Affair" tells a story about two passengers that fell for one another during a transatlantic cruise. We meet a playboy Michel Marnet and singer Terry McKay. After the cruise, they decide to break their respective relationship and end up to pursue a relationship as they plan to meet at a Empire State but an accident happens. No question that Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer have great chemistry that makes this melodrama stand the test of time. Leo McCarey does a wonderful job as director. Often imitated but not duplicated.

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Kalissa H.

@kali_416 Jan 14, 2026

The ending acting from Charles Boyer was great. I really could not agree with Terry not telling Michel she could not walk. He spent over six months thinking she jilted him.

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Soleil C.

@bysoleilceline Dec 3, 2025

Oh what I wouldn’t give to taste pink champagne

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S R

@ScottR May 22, 2025

I saw it since it was on the NYT 1000 movies list. It was the original "Affair to Remember" that packed a punch despite it being limited by the censors. It was well made and compelling. Boyer was a bit stuffy, but the film still was good. SLC DVD.

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David F

@dfulmer Apr 20, 2025

This movie gave us the fateful meeting atop the Empire State Building trope that has permeated romantic films ever since. There is little else about the film to savour, however.

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Synopsis

Engaged ladies' man Michel Marnet (Charles Boyer) encounters spoken-for singer Terry McKay (Irene Dunne) aboard a transatlantic cruise, where sparks fly and a romance ensues. Once they reach New York, Michel and Terry agree to go back to their significant others, then meet atop the Empire State Building in six months, when both are free to pursue their affair. Though a tragic accident forestalls their reunion, Terry and Michel still hold out hope for a chance to rekindle their true love.

Director: Leo McCarey
Producer: Leo McCarey
Screenwriter: Mildred Cram, Leo McCarey, Delmer Daves, Donald Ogden Stewart
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co: RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 16, 1939, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 30, 2016
Runtime: 1h 27m

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