Enduring Love (2004)
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59% of critics liked it
(96 reviews) -
58% of users liked it
(8,369 ratings)
Enduring Love is director Roger Michell and screenwriter Joe Penhall's adaptation of Ian McEwan's acclaimed novel. Joe (Daniel Craig, who starred in Michell's previous film, The Mother), a college professor, is out on a romantic picnic with his long-time girlfriend, Claire (Samantha… More Enduring Love is director Roger Michell and screenwriter Joe Penhall's adaptation of Ian McEwan's acclaimed novel. Joe (Daniel Craig, who starred in Michell's previous film, The Mother), a college professor, is out on a romantic picnic with his long-time girlfriend, Claire (Samantha Morton), a sculptor. Joe seems about to propose marriage to Claire when their world is upended by a freak accident. A hot air balloon lands in the field behind them -- its passengers in obvious distress. Joe and a handful of other men run to help. Despite their efforts, a man falls to his death. Standing helplessly over his shattered body, Joe is joined by another would-be rescuer, Jed (Rhys Ifans, who co-starred in the director's Notting Hill), who suggests they kneel and pray. Joe, strictly a rationalist, does so reluctantly. Joe tries to get back to his routine, but he can't get the incident out of his head, and he is haunted by feelings of guilt and by ruminations about how things might have gone differently. Jed calls him out of the blue and urgently suggests that they meet. Jed soon makes it clear that he feels a connection to Joe that goes beyond their shared participation in the traumatic accident. He begins turning up everywhere Joe goes, sitting outside Joe's apartment at night. Worse yet, he insists that Joe is somehow sending him secret messages and leading him on. This potentially dangerous stalker begins to put a strain on Joe and Claire. As their relationship starts to disintegrate, Joe finds himself being pushed further and further from the rational, secure life he lived before that fateful day. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
- Directed By
- Roger Michell
- Written By
- Joe Penhall
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
- In Theaters
- Oct 29, 2004 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount Classics
Critic Reviews
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Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
It's a genuinely intriguing thriller and a mystery with a most rewarding conclusion.
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Connie Ogle, Miami Herald
A fatal lack of character development dooms Enduring Love as little more than a fleeting curiosity.
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Tom Long, Detroit News
It's heady stuff, though stretched too far for convenience.
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Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
Though Ifans has the splashier role, Craig, last seen in Michell's previous film, 2003's equally provocative The Mother, is outstanding as a man whose philosophy cannot be reconciled with his feelings.
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Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
It's not entirely satisfying, but it's too intriguing to dismiss.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Daniel Craig
as Joe Rose
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Bill Nighy
as Robin
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Susan Lynch
as Rachel
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Helen McCrory
as Mrs. Logan
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Andrew Lincoln
as TV Producer
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Corin Redgrave
as Professor
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Rhys Ifans
as Jed Perry
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Samantha Morton
as Claire
