A Foreign Affair
A Foreign Affair

A Foreign Affair

1948Movie116 minEnglish

In occupied Berlin, an army captain is torn between an ex-Nazi café singer and the US congresswoman investigating her.

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Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Director: Billy WilderGenres: Comedy, Drama, War, Romance

Plot Summary

In post-war Berlin, a stern U.S. congressional committee investigator, Phoebe Frost, arrives to uncover corruption and immoral behavior among American soldiers. She is determined to find her wayward sister, who is involved with a black marketeer named Mike Jeffries. As Phoebe delves deeper into the murky underworld of the divided city, she finds herself drawn into a complex web of relationships and moral ambiguities, forcing her to confront her own rigid principles.

Critical Reception

A Foreign Affair was met with positive reviews, praised for its sharp wit, cynical humor, and Billy Wilder's signature directorial style. Critics lauded the performances, particularly Jean Arthur's portrayal of the prim investigator and Marlene Dietrich's glamorous rendition of a cabaret singer. The film's satirical look at post-war occupation and human frailty resonated with audiences and reviewers alike, though some found its darker undertones unsettling.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its sophisticated satire and Billy Wilder's sharp direction.
  • Jean Arthur delivers a memorable performance as a repressed investigator.
  • Marlene Dietrich shines in a complex role, defying expectations.

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Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay (for Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder, and Richard L. Breen).

Fun Fact

Marlene Dietrich's iconic black dress in the film was designed by herself and was an adaptation of a dress she had previously worn in 'The Blue Angel'.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Billy Wilder pulls together a great script and two engaging performances from Jean Arthur and Marlene Dietrich in this entertaining story of a US Congresswoman who visits post-war Berlin to check up on the morals of the American troops. She...