Review of Smiles of a Summer Night (1955) by Todd S — 15 Aug 2007

Bergman is often accused of being too oppressive and austere, and indeed, many of his films deny the audience even a moment of levity. Yet what impressed me most about this wonderful film is its lightness of tone, even while the characters are discussing the most serious matters.

I feared this film would contain a string of incomprehensible puns, yet Bergman's dialog is completely vibrant 50 years on and despite the language barrier. Gunnar Bjornstad is really remarkable in the leading role, and, donning a fake beard, manages to make a philandering lawyer with a sixteen-year-old wife and nothing but contempt for his own son completely endearing.