Anderson cheapens memorable 'Affair'

An Affair to Remember

Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn were Hollywood's quintessential on-screen couple. Through hit after hit together, the legendary duo charmed the hearts of millions of movie-goers with their unmatched chemistry.
But behind the scenes, their secret love affair was no cooler than the passion they radiated from the screen. In his attempt to capture this touching love story, Christopher Andersen's "An Affair to Remember" turns out to be more of an exploitive probe than a joint biography of two of show business' best performers.

Andersen's book begins by promising to reveal the "dirty" little secrets of this affair; paradoxically, he is trying to portray their affair as one of the most romantic and touching love stories ever. He tempts a reader by guaranteeing the revelatio n of things such as Hepburn's involvement with other men prior to Tracy, the real reason why Tracy would not divorce his wife for Hepburn and how Kate helped him overcome his impotency.

Andersen begins the biography with a chapter on Hepburn's history prior to meeting Tracy followed by a chapter on Tracy's history prior to meeting Hepburn. These summaries of their lives, while feeling like shortened Cliff-Notes versions, actually reveal a sufficient amount about each actor's childhood and arrival in Hollywood.

Anderson then tells of their experiences in making movies, as well as their personal stories. Throughout their careers, as they made classics such as "Woman of the Year," "State of the Union" and "Adam's Rib" together, the two performers obtained success and fame.

Meanwhile, Andersen details the complications that went on in their personal lives. With Tracy, a married man, the affair was often carried out in a clandestine manner, which had a grueling effect on both parties. Furthermore, Tracy's struggles with alcoholism and Hepburn's demanding personality on the sets were also the source strife.

But throughout their relationship, which ended with Tracy's death in 1967, it was obvious that the two felt the utmost love and devotion for each other.

Andersen's major problem is that he sets out to show how this affair is one of the greatest of all time. But by the end of the biography, he does not convey this love at all. Rather, the relationship is overshadowed by Andersen's dedication to show the dark side of Tracy and his occasional abuse toward Hepburn.

While his ability to show both the positive and negative aspects of the relationship make "An Affair to Remember" a good biographical work, it does nothing for the author's intended objective.

"An Affair to Remember" is a solid biography that paints a detailed and complex picture of two of the biggest stars ever to grace a movie screen. While it is impossible to argue that these actors will remain in the public's heart for years to come, "An Affair to Remember" hardly proves why their heartbreaking relationship is one of the greatest of all time.

- Julia Shih

11-04-97