Hanover Street, a 1979 film starring Harrison Ford, attempts to blend a World War II action backdrop with a passionate love story. While the movie boasts compelling elements, its execution ultimately falls short due to a reliance on melodramatic dialogue that often feels unrealistic and contrived. Without the undeniably beautiful and romantic score by John Barry, certain scenes risk becoming unintentionally humorous.
The central romance, a whirlwind affair that ignites instantly between the characters, strains credibility. In most narratives, love develops over time and shared experiences. Here, however, the deep, passionate, and seemingly enduring love feels rushed and unearned. This central flaw undermines the emotional core of the film.
Despite its romantic shortcomings, Hanover Street delivers in terms of classic war movie excitement. The film features well-crafted military sequences that capture the tension and danger of wartime missions. Moments of levity are injected through the banter between Halloran and his co-pilot Cimino, providing brief respites from the heavy drama. Furthermore, the intricate military operation orchestrated by Halloran and Mr. Sallinger offers a genuinely thrilling and easy-to-follow plot thread.
A recurring issue throughout the movie is the portrayal of Margaret Sallinger, played by Lesley-Anne Down. Her dialogue delivery, consistently whispered in a tearful, fragile voice, becomes monotonous and somewhat irritating as the film progresses. It also creates a disconnect, leaving the audience questioning the depth of Halloran’s attraction to her character beyond superficial reasons.
The film never truly justifies the intense connection between Halloran and Margaret. The dialogue in the concluding scenes, intended to echo the iconic farewell from Casablanca, instead comes across as forced and overly sentimental. This melodramatic high point, while intended to be poignant, unfortunately becomes the film’s most indulgent and least convincing moment.
However, the performances of Harrison Ford and Christopher Plummer are noteworthy. Their dedicated portrayals of their characters inject a level of sincerity and commitment that elevates the movie above its script deficiencies. Their efforts almost succeed in making Hanover Street a passable film, highlighting their professional dedication to the roles.
