Intermezzo: A Love Story Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A famous violinist swaps his wife for his daughter’s piano teacher, then a dramatic accident makes him realize maybe ditching your family isn’t the best concert tour choice.

🍿 Intermezzo: A Love Story: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Maestro Returns Home

Renowned concert violinist Holger Brandt returns to Stockholm after a successful international tour. His long-time accompanist is retiring, leaving Holger in need of a new musical partner for his upcoming tour. At his young daughter Ann Marie’s birthday party, Holger meets her talented piano teacher, Anita Hoffman. Impressed by her skill when they play together, he sees her as a potential accompanist.

Forbidden Harmony

Despite Anita’s initial hesitation due to her own aspirations for a prestigious scholarship, she and Holger develop a deep connection through their shared passion for music. Their growing bond quickly blossoms into a romantic relationship. Holger confesses his feelings for Anita to his wife, Margit, leading to a separation. This allows Holger and Anita to embark on a European concert tour together, their love entwined with their musical partnership.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Holger Brandt (Leslie Howard): A renowned concert violinist who jeopardizes his family life by pursuing a love affair with his daughter’s piano teacher.
• Anita Hoffman (Ingrid Bergman): A talented young pianist and teacher who becomes the violinist’s accompanist and lover, eventually realizing their relationship’s cost.
• Margit Brandt (Edna Best): The supportive and perceptive wife of the violinist, who faces the consequences of his infidelity.
• Ann Marie Brandt (Ann E. Todd): The young daughter who deeply loves her father and whose welfare plays a crucial role in his decisions.
• Thomas Stenborg (John Halliday): The violinist’s retiring accompanist and friend, who also mentors the young pianist and offers guidance.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Thomas Stenborg: “I wonder if anyone has ever built happiness on the unhappiness of others?” – Said to Anita, questioning the sustainability and morality of her relationship with Holger, which is causing pain to his family.
• Anita Hoffman: “I have been an intermezzo in his life.” – A poignant realization by Anita that her intense relationship with Holger may only be a temporary phase compared to his established family life.
• Anita Hoffman: “Love like ours is wrong. It drags itself down with remorse and fears, and the unhappiness of others.” – Part of a letter Anita leaves for Holger explaining her decision to leave him and pursue her own path, acknowledging the destructive nature of their affair.
• Holger Brandt: “When we’re young, we expect the people we love to behave like gods, especially our fathers. But sadly as we grow older, we realize we are all human, tragically human. We all make mistakes…” – Holger’s attempt to reconcile with his son Eric, explaining his past actions and fallibility after returning home.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $800,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,300,000
• Worldwide Gross: $1,500,000

💥 Intermezzo: A Love Story Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, watching *Intermezzo* felt like stepping back in time to a classic Hollywood tear-jerker! I was totally captivated by Ingrid Bergman in her first English role; she has this incredible natural presence that just lights up the screen. You can instantly see why David O. Selznick brought her over. The story itself is pretty heavy on the melodrama, dealing with a married musician falling for a younger woman. It definitely made me feel for the wife and kids, even while being drawn into the Holger and Anita’s relationship. The dramatic moments, especially that accident scene, really tugged at the heartstrings, even if they felt a little… convenient. I loved the music throughout the film – it really enhances the romantic and dramatic mood. And seeing Leslie Howard as the conflicted violinist was interesting after seeing him in *Gone With the Wind*. Overall, it’s a quick watch and a fascinating look at classic Hollywood romance and the start of a legendary career.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood cinema”
  • “Admirers of Ingrid Bergman and Leslie Howard”
  • “Viewers interested in romantic melodramas and forbidden love stories”
  • “Those who appreciate classic black-and-white cinematography”
  • “Films about musicians and the world of classical music”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Themes of adultery and marital infidelity”
  • “Emotional distress related to relationship conflicts”
  • “Brief depiction of a child injured in a car accident (non-fatal)”

Professional Reviews

• Synthesized from reviews: “Ingrid Bergman’s luminous American debut is the undeniable highlight of this swift, 70-minute melodrama. While the story of a married violinist’s affair feels predictable and occasionally overwrought, Bergman’s fresh, natural performance shines, ably supported by Gregg Toland’s stunning cinematography. Leslie Howard gives a competent performance, though some found him a bit stiff. The classical music soundtrack is a key element, though its dramatic intensity sometimes feels a bit much. It’s worth watching for Bergman’s star-making turn alone.
• Synthesized from reviews: “This remake primarily serves as a vehicle for Ingrid Bergman’s introduction to American audiences, and in that it succeeds spectacularly. Her natural beauty and sensitive portrayal elevate the conventional ‘other woman’ trope. The plot, centered on an extramarital affair and its consequences, feels a bit dated, especially the moralistic ending. The production is handsome, with beautiful black and white photography and effective classical music. While not a masterpiece, its brevity and Bergman’s star power make it a memorable historical watch.

Audience Reactions

Ingrid Bergman’s radiant beauty and natural acting in her American debut captivated viewers.: Audiences praised Bergman’s performance and screen presence, Gregg Toland’s beautiful cinematography, and the dramatic classical music score.

Overall Consensus: A well-made, though sometimes melodramatic, classic romance primarily celebrated for introducing the radiant Ingrid Bergman to American audiences.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Producer David O. Selznick initially disliked how cinematographer Harry Stradling Sr. was filming Ingrid Bergman, finding her appearance “ghastly” compared to her natural look in the original Swedish version. After firing Stradling and hiring Gregg Toland, Toland famously advised that in Sweden, Bergman wore very little makeup, leading Selznick to order retakes with her natural look, which contributed to her striking debut.”
• “Leslie Howard agreed to star in David O. Selznick’s epic ‘Gone With The Wind’ (1939) in part so that Selznick would produce this film, in which Howard also co-produced.”
• “This film is an American remake of a 1936 Swedish film of the same name, which also starred Ingrid Bergman in the lead role, making this her English-speaking debut and introduction to Hollywood audiences in a role she was already familiar with.”
• “Despite the film being set in Stockholm and other European locations, much of the filming took place in Monterey, California.”

🖥️ How to Watch Intermezzo: A Love Story?

As a classic film released in 1939, ‘Intermezzo’ may be available through various streaming platforms that specialize in classic cinema or via digital rental and purchase options. To check current availability for streaming, rental, or purchase, please search on major platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital movie retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Intermezzo: A Love Story, you might like these similar films:

• Brief Encounter (1945): A classic British film directly comparable for its sensitive portrayal of an illicit affair between two married individuals and the emotional turmoil involved.
• Casablanca (1942): While not a direct plot comparison, it features Ingrid Bergman and deals with themes of difficult romantic choices, sacrifice, and duty amidst dramatic circumstances during the same era.
• The Red Shoes (1948): Explores the intense and often sacrificing lives of artists (ballet dancers instead of musicians), focusing on the conflict between dedication to art and personal relationships.
• The Bridges of Madison County (1995): A later romantic drama exploring a brief, intense affair between a married woman and a traveling photographer, examining themes of love, commitment, and the roads not taken.
• Mildred Pierce (1945): A classic Hollywood melodrama/film noir with complex family relationships, sacrifice, and moral compromises, appealing to fans of sophisticated dramas from this period.

🛒 Intermezzo: A Love Story Related Products

• Intermezzo (A Love Story) DVD or Blu-ray: Own the classic film that introduced Ingrid Bergman to American audiences, featuring stunning black and white cinematography by Gregg Toland.
• Ingrid Bergman: A Life in Pictures Book: A beautifully illustrated biography exploring the iconic career of Ingrid Bergman, from her Swedish beginnings to Hollywood stardom.
• Leslie Howard Film Collection: A collection of classic films starring Leslie Howard, showcasing his versatility as an actor alongside Intermezzo.
• Classic Romantic Violin & Piano Duets Album: An album featuring classic romantic duets for violin and piano, capturing the musical spirit and emotion of the film’s central relationship.

🎧 Soundtrack

Intermezzo: A Love Story features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Intermezzo” – performed by Heinz Provost
• “Various Classical Pieces” – performed by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Christian Sinding, uncredited Max Steiner score

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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