Intermezzo

Rating:
Summary: A Soap Well Done
Review: Ingrid Bergman and Leslie Howard have made their careers playing exactly the kind of star-crossed lovers who find each other as in INTERMEZZO. Howard had just finished filming GONE WITH THE WIND when director Gregory Ratoff tapped him to play Holger Brandt, a concert violinist who seems to have it all: a loving wife (well played by Edna Best), two happy children, and a successful career touring the opera circuit. Yet, behind the surface happiness, Holger sends out subtle signals that all is not well both in his life and in his marriage. His touring takes him away from home for long stretches. His wife and daughter miss him, and his growing absences begin to nettle all concerned. He seems to be a man ready for a too-soon mid life crisis. Enter Anita (Ingrid Bergman) as a piano teacher for his daughter. Anita is far more than just a child's tutor; she is a gifted concert pianist in her own right. It does not take long for sparks to fly between them, as each soon has to face the unavoidable question that all adulterers cannot avoid: how can they build happiness on the unhappiness of others?

Ingrid Bergman had earlier played the same role in a Swedish version of the same film with an identical title. Since she did not know English, she had to learn her lines with the help of language tutors who wisely decided to leave untouched her lilting Swedish accent that had since become her trademark. Both Bergman and Howard bounce off each other in all the right ways and at just the right moments as their characters are basically deeply sensitive to the realization that their new-found love must collide painfully with the near-extinguished love of Howard and Best. Miss Best, who as Holger's infinitely understanding wife, is not pushed into the background by her far better known actor leads. In fact, she steals more than a few scenes with an acting style that emits a wealth of emotion with the merest of glances. Early in the affair between Holger and Anita, Mrs. Brandt sees Anita casually fondling Holger's violin case, and her stifled gasp tells the audience all it needs to know that she knows of the affair but chooses to give Holger a chance to sort out his feelings. INTERMEZZO is the rarest of soaps. You learn to care for the characters even as they tread down a path that a legion of other less able films headed. Good acting will usually do that.

Rating:
Summary: She was an intermezzo in his life.
Review: The story is basic and told in many ways. A famous violinist (Leslie Howard) falls in love with his daughter's piano teacher (Ingrid Bergman). Unlike many movies where the pare cause each other trouble and force the other to beg their way back into good graces, the situations are real enough that you feel that you are part of the story. You will have to watch to find out how they deal with feelings and act on them.

If you find this movie as intriguing as I do, your next one should be Brief Encounter - Criterion Collection (1945). See my review When you feel like British, no other film will do as well. May 6, 2001

Rating:
Summary: INCANDESCENT BERGMAN
Review: The story of of a romantic affair between a pianist and a married violinist. David O. Selznick had second thoughts about casting Bergman in this film; at one point he was considering replacing her with Loretta Young (!). However, as filming proceeded, Bergman's proficientcy improved dramatically, as did her stock with Selznick. The producer was pleased and impressed by her total and unselfish commitment to the success of the picture and her willingness to invest many long, hard days to achieve that goal. Under the tutelage of Ruth Roberts, MGM's language coach - who had trained Hedy Lamarr - she learned English quickly and fluently, proving herself to have a natural flair for languages. As sweet and lilting as the violins which permeate the film, INTERMEZZO premiered in October of 1939, and it was a resounding success; Ingrid Bergman became an international star overnight. David O. Selznick rewarded her with a 7 year contract and she enjoyed a flourishing career as one of Hollywood's leading actresses until 1948, when she bore an illegitimate child by Italian director Roberto Rossellini. It wasn't until 1956 that Hollywood welcomed her back; that year she won her AA for ANASTASIA.