At a Glance

An exploration of post World War II European society and its discontents, as symbolised by the shifting emotional and political alliances of one English woman based on the critically acclaimed play by David Hare. For Susan Traherne (Merryl Streep) nothing can match the heroism and excitement of her wartime involvement with the French Resistance; nor can any man match the young soldier with whom she had an affair. Back in England, her youthful optimism slowly fades as she experiments with a variety of political movements and a variety of men. Tracey Ullman co-stars as Susan's constant companion, who lives life as a bohemian free spirit, uninhibited, but unable to stop Susan's decline into depression and unabashed alienation. Ultimately, Susan settles into a marriage with an upper class diplomat that leads to disillusionment and, finally, madness.