Review of Smiles of a Summer Night (1955) by Ld P — 31 Jul 2009
Maybe this is Bergmans most accessible film. Sommarnattens leende Smiles of a Summer Night. Won best comedy at Cannes 1956-- not released in New York City Till 1957. Older man married to young woman (age 20).
Has adult son from 1st marriage home from School. His Old mistress arrives in town again for a Dramatic Play. Maid is flirting with the adult son. Older Male (lawyer) wants back with his old actress friend.
Son is is love with his wife. Great Fun and Comedy and some serious stuff also. Fantasy Dream/wish sequence with the wine and the old woman's spell is is truly GREAT/FANTASTIC. This movie (based on a play and filmed like one) has been remade by Woody Allen in his movie A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy and Steven Sondheim as A little Night Music.
There are also some serious elements in the film and the film has several scenes with the characters in Bergmans usual pose of facing/eyeballing the camera (audience) directly and speaking directly to the lens (audience).
Bergman stated in an interview that he was surprised the film succeeded so well as it was filmed in really horrendous setting. I could not find the rest of the interview where he probably told the details of the problems he had filming/producing Smiles.
four or five stars. I rate it high 5 stars.
This review of Smiles of a Summer Night (1955) was written by Ld P on 31 Jul 2009.
Smiles of a Summer Night has generally received very positive reviews.
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