Smiles of A Summer Night (1955)

Smiles Of A Summer Night (aka Sommarnattens Leende)



For me, this is the first truly great film that Bergman made. Looking back, his previous films feel like draft versions of this film, this is none more noticeable than in the film Waiting Women; in that film Gunnar Björnstrand and Eva Dahlbeck play an arguing married couple who get trapped in an elevator. That section of the film was clearly the highlight and Smiles of a Summer Night riffs on the same themes – the politics of relationships and love as well as infidelity.

Fredrick Egerman (Gunnar Björnstrand) is lawyer married to the beautiful and young Anne (Ulla Jacobsson). He has a proto-emo son, Henrik (Björn Bjelfvenstam), who is in training to become a priest. Fredrick’s former mistress, the actress Desiree Armfeldt ( Eva Dahlbeck) returns to town with a plan in mind to do a ‘good deed’ for the Egerman’s, as well as her current paramore Count Malcolm (Jarl Kulle) and his jealous wife (Margit Carlqvist). Events come to head at a part on a (guess what?) summer night.

A friend of mine said they found the film ‘settling and unsettling’, and I can understand where they’re coming for – it’s a funny film but full of melancholy. It is funny, I always laugh during it (though, I must confess, I’ve seen this film 3 or 4 times, but only once when sober, sorry, Ingmar) but heartbreaking in a warm way. At the end of the film (slight spoilers) couples do end up together, but one couple doesn’t quite get the romantic Hollywood ending, there is a darker edge to their relationship. I generally hate romantic comedies, but I love this because of the darkness and melancholy. This film contains more adultery than any other film Hollywood out in that year and maybe even the decade.

Gunnar Björnstrand and Eva Dahlbeck are a joy to watch together. Their scenes always sparkle – there is real chemistry between them. A big mention must go to Harriet Andersson as the feisty maid, she lightenes up every scene she’s in.

Well, I think it’s great. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but, damnit, this blog is about my opinion of Bergman, not yours.



Rating- 9/10



Top 5-
1) Smiles of Summer Night
2) Waiting Women
3) Prison
4) Summer With Monika
5) A Lesson In Love