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 Unbridled
passion and desire are the driving forces behind Connie Sumner's
unfaithfulness to her husband.  What
makes this film so interesting is that there is no indication of
an unhappy marriage. Connie and Edward talk and spend time together.
They have a beautiful home and a nine-year-old son whom they both
love dearly.
Again
there are no reasons given for Connie's unfaithfulness.
 It
all begins one day as the wind is blowing. It is the season of winter.
Connie is trying to get a cab in downtown Soho and accidentally
runs into Paul Martel and skins her knee as they fall. He invites
her up to his apartment, which just happens to be right there, for
a Band-Aid and a cup of tea. First she says no  and
then she accepts. The winds seem to represent the winds of change
and winter seems to represent the impending death of former things.
 Connie
has allowed herself to respond to romantic passion even though it
is against her better judgment. Her choice to do what she knew wasn't
right is part of the human dilemma. The Apostle Paul characterized
this human condition brilliantly when he said, "For the good that
I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. " --Romans
7:19
 There
are moments in our lives that change everything about our life.
Connie embarks on one of those moments in which her decision changes
the rest of her life significantly and more. It changes the lives
of everyone connected to her: her lover, her husband, her son, and
even her friendships. Choices can have eternal significance.
 Martel,
Connie's lover, has Connie read a line out of one of his many books.
"Be happy for this moment, for this moment is your life." This sets
the tone for the whole film. Her moment with Martel comes out of
an incorrect choice that defines the rest of her life. Indeed "Be
happy for this moment, for this moment is your life."
 Once
tasted, forbidden fruit can turn into addiction. Connie becomes
addicted to the emotional rush that passion brings. She begins to
live for it. Like all other obsessions, it effects every human relation
she has. She loses interest in her husband and her son.
We
have all been there. We have all made choices that are wrong. Moreover,
we have all experienced the pain of relationships broken by our
regrettable choices. This film strikes at the heart of the vulnerabilities
in all of us. Our
poor choices become the deep sadness that plagues our lives.
The
interesting thing about this film is that it is clear that Connie
is in no way in love with Martel at all. She knows nothing about
him, nothing about his history. Those things do not matter. She
is swept away by her passion. She's hooked on a relationship addiction.
SPOILER.
 The
film shifts from Connie to her husband Edward when he discovers
Connie has a lover. He confronts the lover privately. Edward also
has a life changing moment. Driven by his anger he accidentally
kills Martel. He conceals his crime by taking the body to a garbage
dump wrapped tightly in a huge rug. He too becomes a victim of
a poor choice during a passionate moment.
END SPOILER.
 Both
Connie and Edward resort to lies and deception following their crimes
of passion.
The
Bible speaks of one sin leading to another. Secrecy leads to lies
and deception. The Bible goes so far as to say  that
sin leads eventually to death. In the Bible, death is often a word
that can mean spiritual separation from God and others. And this
is so true. Sin brings separation.
 How
does the film resolve these issues? Can Connie and Edward find happiness
again? The film ends before that question is answered. The film
is ingenious in this regard. There are many things in life that
we don't have answers to. There are certain ambiguities and mysteries
in life that are irresolvable. Connie wisely says we will have to
take it one day at a time.
 There's
an insightful scene towards the end of movie where Connie and Edward
are sitting in their car wondering what to do. They begin to wish
they could change their names, become new people, live in Mexico
on the beach, where nobody would know their true names and live
in peace. There is in all of us this hope of a peaceful hereafter.
Connie's description of a new beginning with a new name speaks to
a desire within the human soul of a heaven to come. And-or even
a new beginning on earth [new birth].
The
movie has a sobering feel to it and leaves us facing the human condition
in all of its reality.
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UNFAITHFUL
