If I LOVE Brief Encounter what other really well written movies can you recommend

[LaurieFairyCake]

I've watched it dozens of times now. I need something else that's in that genre.

I love affair to remember and to catch a thief too - all sparky, interesting characters

But I want something a bit darker like Brief Encounter. I watched one last week - Cary Grant married to a woman who hates him and he died at the end depressingly so not that.

Casablanca! It's so so good.

Now, Voyager.

I love Casablanca, not seen it for ages so thanks!

Now Voyager, heard of it I think - is it Hepburn? Off to look at that

Oh god it's Bette Davis, I adore her !

That's this afternoon sorted

In short pretty much anything with Bette Davis in and you won't go wrong. All about Eve?

Sunset Boulevard? Not so romantic but really compelling.

The Apartment is fun.

And some Hitchcock - I LOVE Rear Window or Notorious.

Modern but filmed as a black & white move, The Artist is fabulous.

Have you seen Citizen Kane?

What about some of the classic musicals? Singin in the Rain is brilliant. So is On The Town and Kiss Me Kate.

Now I want a rainy afternoon on my own to watch them all.

You may have seen these as they are well known but I like Roman Holiday (more lighthearted) and An Affair to Remember (tearjerker).

Oops didn't see An Affair to remember in your OP!

My third favourite film is All About Eve - I find myself channeling it on nights out when some tosser tries to talk to me

So many good suggestions I haven't seen for ages

Now, Voyager. Dark Victory. All About Eve, are all Bette Davis.
Laura, is a wonderful film noir.

Ah crossed post!

I like The Lady Vanishes - the original, although I quite enjoyed the 70's Angela Lansbury version too.

And completely not the genre you're looking for, but Private Benjamin is my go to me-time film of choice

Hitchcock films are good. You mentioned To Catch a Thief. Have you tried Hitchcock's Rear Window, Rebecca, Spellbound, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Marnie, The Birds, and Vertigo?

Bette Davis in All about eve is brilliant - hence my MN name

I can also recommend Black Narcissus, starring Deborah Kerr.

The Red Shoes is a masterpiece British film about ballet. Very dark but beautiful and terribly British.

Charade with Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant is a good romantic thriller.

A Matter of Life and Death is another wonderful British classic, starring Kim Hunter and the divine David Niven.

I was just coming on to say Hitchcock's Rebecca and Now, Voyager.

An Affair to Remember is one of my favourites too.

Dark Victory

Dynamic society girl (Bette Davis) is diagnosed with a brain tumour. She falls for her tall, dark brain surgeon (George Brent), who operates to try to save her whilst she fires off witty one-liners to captivate him. Humpty GoKart makes an appearance as the stable boy and even a young Ronald Reagan pitches up to one of the swanky parties.

Things don't go that well. The ending is a four-box man-size Kleenex sobfest involving the family dogs and stiff upper lip bravery.

Ooh ooh ooh

and Double Indemnity

Barbara Stanwyck is wealthy and brassy and wants to bump off her old man but needs to secure a gigantic insurance payout, courtesy of insurance salesman Fred McMurray. They have an affair (of course).

Things don't go well. Very tense, brilliant ending. Superb film.

Rear Window

Roman Holiday

Sabrina

To Kill A Mockingbird

The Million Pound Note

Spellbound

North by North West

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Café

Monsieur Ibrahim et les Fleurs du Coran (Mr Ibrahim and the flowers of the Qur'an

Devdas

The Taking of Pelham 123 (please God not the shit awful remake, it must be the original!)

All of the above!

Also Remains of the Day-very British and stiff upper lip.

'The Ghost Train' written by Arnold Ridley of Shakespearean actor and Dad's Army fame.

Brighton Rock.
10 Rillinton Place.
Whiskey Galore.

MASH
OWALW

Catch 22

Ah, films with a narrative apart from explosions.

Of course, 'It's a Wonderful Life' is the best film ever.

Thanks to a pp who mentioned Laura - really enjoyed that one.
Big Sleep
Dark Victory
Rear Window
Notorious

Imagine the days, dear reader , when we only had three channels in TV and no video. The news that one of these beauties was on BBC2 in the afternoon would often make my weekend as a preteen.

Mildred Pierce

@everythingissoblinkinrosie I'm glad you enjoyed Laura. Dana Andrews is one of my favourite actors. My Foolish Heart was my go to weepy for years.

On The Waterfront with Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando (I think!) brilliant film
I absolutely love old movies my dh just doesn't get it at all but Brief Encounter is my favourite, feel like I have to go watch it now!
Another brilliant one with Bette Davis is Whatever happened Baby Jane

Cabaret (amazing acting, script, songs)
Casablanca (not a piece of script wasted)
All about Eve