Cheap Smiles Of A Summer Night - Criterion Collection (DVD) (Ulla Jacobsson, Eva Dahlbeck) (Ingmar Bergman) Price
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| ACTORS: | Ulla Jacobsson, Eva Dahlbeck |
| CATEGORY: | DVD |
| DIRECTOR: | Ingmar Bergman |
| THEATRICAL RELEASE DATE: | 23 December, 1957 |
| MANUFACTURER: | Criterion Collection |
| MPAA RATING: | NR (Not Rated) |
| FEATURES: | Black & White |
| TYPE: | Foreign Film - Swedish |
| MEDIA: | DVD |
| # OF MEDIA: | 1 |
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Customer Reviews of Smiles Of A Summer Night - Criterion Collection
Bergman Gives Us Lots To "Smile" About The first time I saw "Smiles of a Summer Night" I thought is was an OK film, nothing more, nothing less. I was use to seeing the powerful, bleak, gritty dramas such as "Shame", "The Seventh Seal", "Wild Strawberries", and "A Passion of Anna". "Smiles" was entertaining, but not memorable. It just didn't have the lasting power those other films had.
I have now seen the film again. And while maybe it is true this movie does not have the lasting power Bergman's other films have, that does not mean you shouldn't see it.
"Smiles of a Summer Night" is actually pretty funny, and I don't just mean by Bergman's standards. It succeeds on its own as a comedy-of-manners.
The only other Bergman comedy I have seen is his vastly underrated "The Devil's Eye". Between the two I prefer "Eye", but "Smiles" still has its own charm.
Fredrik Egerman (Gunnar Bjornstrand) is married to Anne (Ulla Jacobson) and is having an affair with actress and former fling Desiree Armfeldt (Eva Dahlbeck). Too bad for Fredrik, Anne finds out. But Desiree is also seeing another man, Carl Magnus (Jarl Kulle) who is also married to one of Anne's friends, Charlotte (Margit Carlqvist), who also knows about he husband's "past time". Soon all of these people get together to spend a weekend in the country as Desiree throws a party in an attempt to win back Fredrik.
This all sounds very usually for Bergman, but, as I said he is able to pull it off.
Many may find the story-line resembles Woody Allen's "A Midsummer's Night Sex Comedy", and that's because this is what that movie was based on. Though I prefer Bergman's film to Allen's. Did you ever think Ingmar Bergman would make a better comedy than Woody Allen? I know it sounds odd, but wait until you see this film.
Bottom-line: One of director Ingmar Bergman's funniest films. Surpringly filled with quirky moments and likeable performances from some Bergman regulars. "Smiles of a Summer Night" is worth watching.
Bergman's brilliant comedy
Despite Ingmar Bergman's reputation for darkly serious films, his breakthrough film is a lighthearted comedy about the weird human ways when it comes to love, and relationships. Every scene is delightful, with discourses and puns between men and women talking about love. As well Bergman throws in philosophy even though this film is a comedy.
Fredrik is a lawyer in Sweden at the turn of the century, who lives with a very young wife, and son, as well as a house maid. After Fredrik visits his ex mistress, and has a quarrel with her lover-friend, she invites them, and their family to her mothers estate for a quirky night with quite a few surprises and revelations of everyone's true feelings. As everyone starts to feel helpless with their lovers, the film ends in a great spirit reminiscent of classical comedy.
Anyone who appreciates comedies needs to see this film, as it is a masterpiece of the genre. It won the Cannes Film Festival's Grand Prize for Best Comedy, and appeared on numerous Top Ten lists. Bergman masterfully directs scene after scene of humorous insight into the characters, and general humans, odd dealings in love. The characters range from young flirting girls, to serious virtuous Christians. The acting is wonderful as always, from Bergman's team of actors. I recommend this very much. If only someone would release a good DVD of this classic, we all can enjoy it. 5 stars. Check it out.
A rating of 5 and then some.*******
This film is perfect -- comedy, drama, you name it. Performances are all tight and Bergman weaves a marvelous tale of how people make fools of themselves at almost all times. They deceive each other and themselves, only wasting large portions of their lives in the process. He is always teaching us a lesson, and I like that in a film. Comic moments abound, however, and the result is uplifting, honest and very real.
The film is touted as his only comedy, however, I would not categorize the film this way. There are deeply felt moments not to be ignored by the viewer. I have seen the film several times and I am very excited that it is now available on DVD. I recommend it highly and I hope that you enjoy it. It is a more than worthy film that satisfies on high ground. It is adult and insightful. Please, do not let this one pass you by if you are at all serious about filmmaking and Bergman's considerable contribution. Let's be grateful for his vast upus.