Famous concert violinist Holger Brandt (Gösta Ekman) falls in love with his young daughter’s gifted piano teacher (Ingrid Bergman). The director was recognized internationally for this film, which introduced Bergman to a wider audience and had an approach that seemed more mature at the time than many other films. It hasn’t aged well though. The story isn’t much and Ekman’s old-school over-the-top performance as the violinist was criticized even at the time. Still, there is something universal about this treatment of an “intermezzo” in a marriage and the heartbreak it brings. Bergman is also fine in her supporting role.
1936-Sweden. 93 min. B/W. Directed by Gustaf Molander. Screenplay: Gustaf Molander, Gösta Stevens. Cast: Gösta Ekman (Holger Brandt), Inga Tidblad (Margit Brandt), Ingrid Bergman (Anita Hoffman), Erik “Bullen” Berglund, Hugo Björne, Anders Henrikson… Hasse Ekman, George Fant.
Trivia: Remade in the U.S. as Intermezzo (1939).
