Think very highly of Michaelangelo Antonioni and most of his films. Maybe not a favourite of mine when it comes to directors, but most of his films range from very good to masterpiece, though a few didn't do much for me (especially 'Zabriskie Point' and 'Beyond the Clouds'),and his importance, appeal and influence is more than understandable. Although he falls more into the appreciate rather than the love category, he is very interesting as is his visual style and his films' themes (some and the way they were explored were ground-breaking).

'Story of a Love Affair', as has been said already, was his first feature film, made during a period where Antonioni was still yet properly to hit his stride. That is not a knock, quite the contrary. His pre-prime (which for me started with 'L'avventura') period was a more than worthwhile one and boasted some fine films, none among his very best or most important/influential but very high in quality and a real achievement for so early on. 'Story of a Love Affair' for me is one of the best of this period, one would find it hard to believe that this was his first film. There are signs of what made his very best films so great, with the concepts and how the camera is used, even if his later films explore their themes in more depth, broadness and more ground-breakingly.

Occasionally, 'Story of a Love Affair' is a touch too focused on the dialogue (being one of the "talkier" Antonioni films from his early period),which on occasions bogs down the pace in the middle.

Can't think of anything else though to criticise. The production values for so early on are remarkably refined and vivid, with a hauntingly dark atmosphere evoked. The photography is beautiful to watch and hugely impressive in terms of techniques, the camera work in the bridge meeting is almost as good as any of the unforgettable shots often talked about when Antonioni was in his prime. The film is assuredly directed by Antonioni, writing more about it am thinking it is hard to believe this was his first feature film when there have been directors (i.e. Stanley Kubrick, regrettably) whose first film was their worst. In Antonioni's case, it was his swan-song that was one of his misfires. He doesn't try to do too much and things never felt heavy-handed either

Despite criticising 'Story of a Love Affair' as a bit too dialogue heavy, the dialogue itself is thought-probing and has much emotional impact. Unlike some other "talky" Antonioni films, like 'Zabriskie Point' and 'Red Desert', it doesn't ramble and doesn't make the reviewer lose interest. The story is a beautiful mix of dark passion, slow-burning suspense and pathos, the romantic element not being over-sweet or slowing things down and instead having real poignancy. The characters may not be rich in development but they are remarkably well balanced, like for example an equally strong male lead, and beautifully acted by especially Lucia Bose. That she didn't make it bigger is sad.

Altogether, a great film debut. 9/10

A wealthy Milan industrialist--Enrique knows nothing about the past of his beautiful young wife--Paola. He hires a detective agency after he discovers some old photos belonging to Paola.

The detective agency sends some one to poke around Paola's past.

The detective discovers she tried to steal her best friend Giovanna's fiancé Guido. They (Paola and Guido) share a secret about the death of Giovanna shortly before her wedding.

Guido finds out about the detective and goes to Milan to warn Paola. The flame between them after 7 years is still strong...they begin to have an affair.

Paola soon enough realizes Enrique is in the way and she prods Guido into murdering him...only chance and fate again play some cards in this dark twisting emotional three way. You never know what is going to happen next.

In Milano, when the wealthy and jealous entrepreneur Enrico Fontana (Ferdinando Sarmi) discovers hidden photos of his gorgeous twenty-seven year-old wife Paola Molon Fontana (Lucia Bosé),he hires a Neapolitan detective agency to investigate her past. Enrico, who owns twenty companies, married Paola during the war in March 1943 and her past is unknown to him. Detective Morale Carloni (Gino Rossi) is assigned by his boss to head to Ferrara, where Paola studied the technical school after leaving her hometown in Rovigo. During his investigation, the snoopy Carloni discovers that the teenager Paola dated many youngsters and her best friends were Matilda Calvani and Giovanna Carlini, who died seven years ago two days before her wedding with Guido (Massimo Girotti). He gets the address of Guido with Matilda's father but his wife sends a letter to Guido advising that the police was probing him. Guido travels to Milano, where he meets Paola after seven years to show the letter. When they see each other, their old passion reignites; but Carloni is still chasing the truth about the tragic accident with Giovanna.

"Cronaca di un Amore" is the first feature of the director Michelangelo Antonioni and his debut could not be better. This film noir has a magnificent cinematography in black and white and unusual and sophisticated angles of camera. The story is engaging, with the gorgeous nineteen year-old Lucia Bosé, who was Miss Italy 1947, in the role of a twenty-seven year-old fatal woman married with a rich industrial that left an old passion after a tragic accident and revives her love when they reunite seven years later. The romance is quite a comedy of errors, with the feeling of guilt of Paola and Guido affecting their love. Milano in the after war with few cars on the streets is also impressive. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Crimes d'Alma" ("Crimes of Soul")