Storyline

Going home to Stockholm after his latest tour in the US, renowned concert violinist Holger Brandt will have to look for a new accompanist for his next tour in a few months time as his long time accompanist and friend Thomas Stenborg is retiring. Not really noticing her until she plays at a social gathering, Holger believes he's found Thomas' replacement in Anita Hoffman, his adolescent daughter Ann Marie's piano teacher who is an accomplished pianist in her own right. As Holger and Anita begin to spend more time together, they fall mutually in love with each other. Despite their love, they have to decide what to do, not only about the upcoming tour but about their feelings for each other in not wanting those feelings to be the cause of the end of Holger's family life, which not only means his marriage to his wife Margit, who can see what is happening between her husband and Anita, but also his relationship with their two children, especially Ann Marie who idolizes her father. Anita will also have to view her love for Holger in relation to her own career as she is in line for a prestigious scholarship. With all these factors, they will find if their love will sustain their relationship, or if each will only be an intermezzo in the other's life.—Huggo

Plot Keywords

pianist, daughter, wife, son, violinist, engaging, melodramatic, stockholm, new york city, affair, music, family, love triangle, forbidden love, temptation, 1930s

Short Review

If there's anything worth noting of this 1939 version directed by Gregory Ratoff, it's the luminous energy of Bergman, who is impossibly fresh-faced and vibrant.

Trailer

Streaming Service

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