Weekend Watch 11/9-11/10

What I’m watching this weekend: A Foreign Affair (1948) - 1 hr 56 mins

A dedicated Iowa congresswoman (Jean Arthur) visits Berlin to observe the troops’ morale in now occupied, post-war Berlin. With the less than tactful help of her military escort (John Lund), Congresswoman Frost finds a world where the troops fraternize with frauleins, trade at the black market, and flock to see a nightclub singer (Marlene Dietrich) who may have been connected with the upper Nazi echelons.

Marlene Dietrich embodies her part, adding more classic cabaret songs to her already noteworthy arsenal. Arthur comedically glistens as the no-nonsense congresswoman. Lund acts as the connective tissue between these two women’s characters, while director Billy Wilder mediated the two women's real-life strong personalities.

Despite being a classic, I feel the film fails to live up to some of the usual Wilder magic. Perhaps Lund is too weak a character and the relationship between him and the congresswoman is lacking in chemistry. Let me know your thoughts!

- Olivia

Availability: Youtube, Amazon video, Googleplay, DVD, and Blu-ray.

• Purchase DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Foreign-Affair-Jean-Arthur/dp/B00DBE97GK

• Purchase Blu-ray: https://www.amazon.com/Foreign-Affair-Blu-ray-Jean-Arthur/dp/B07SNNNMQ7/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=