A LESSON IN LOVE (EN LEKTION I KARLEK) (director/writer: Ingmar Bergman; cinematographer: Martin Bodin; editor: Oscar Rosander; music: Dag Wirén; cast: Eva Dahlbeck (Marianne Erneman), Gunnar Björnstrand (Dr. David Erneman), Yvonne Lombard (Suzanne), Harriet Andersson (Nix, David’s Daughter); Runtime: 95; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Allan Ekelund; Criterion Collection; 1954-Sweden-in Swedish with English subtitles)
“It fits in well with Bergman’s battle of the sexes opus, though a minor work.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

A light comedy written and directed by Ingmar Bergman(“Sawdust and Tinsel”/”Saraband”). The 43-year-old gynecologist David Erneman (Gunnar Björnstrand) has just broken up with his recent patient mistress, the twenty-one year old Susanne Verin (Yvonne Lombard). While on a train the doctor runs into his estranged blonde wife Marianne (Eva Dahlbeck), and they recall their rocky married days. The doctor tries to persuade her to get together again. The dialogue is witty, the story is urbane and the acting is superb. It fits in well with Bergman’s battle of the sexes opus, though a minor work. But it pales when compared to his next year’s Smiles of a Summer Night.

REVIEWED ON 10/22/2016 GRADE: B

Dennis Schwartz: “Ozus’ World Movie Reviews”

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED DENNIS SCHWARTZ