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9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :- A lesson in love, 10 August 2007 Author: stalker vogler from Xanadu
Though not exactly a comedy in the usual sense of the word this more rewarding than any movie full of laughs but devoid of substance. I don't think Bergman's movies can be easily classed under narrow genres, even the lightest are quite complex. This movie in spite of its light touch poses a series of problems related to marriage and its shortcomings and what happens when the flames start to die etc. I don't really communicate personally with all these issues as I am sure others do. But the atmosphere of the movie is extraordinary, you almost wish it not to end. I have to admit that I was swept away by the Bergman of the fifties, having come to know most of his later, groundbreaking efforts. Before Nykvist, von Sydow, Ulman etc. the master produced some of the richest, warm and touching movies I have ever seen. Though it's a long shot, I have seen this kind of love for human kind, in its complexity, only in Fellini's movies of the same period. A Lesson in Love alongside Smiles of a Summer Night are worth seeing for Bergman fans, to have the full image of the man's capabilities, and for those who love cinema with a heart. May he rest in peace!
8 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :- a perfect example of a successful comedy, 20 January 2006 Author: hurin 03 from Sweden
Bergman is a sublime comedy director and writer. This fact becomes apparent in "En lektion I kärlek", where the comic elements range from pure slapstick to deep, yet very emotional scenes. This movie is paves the way for Bergman's later comedies "Sommarnattens leende" and "Kvinnodröm", all of them starring Gunnar Björnstrand as well as Eva Dahlbeck. This is an excellent movie with which to start your Bergman experience, acutely portraying emotional troubles of the young as well as the old. The cinematography by Martin Bodin is astounding, for instance in the picnic scene. In short, the movie is a perfect example of a successful comedy, with a clarity of depth even surpassing some of Bergman's own comedies.
9 out of 16 people found the following comment useful :- Charming rather than funny, 8 January 2003 Author: ian_harris from London, England
Bergman and comedy don't quite go together. Some of his comedies are so naff you almost wince. This film has the odd naff moment - the last 30 seconds being the nadir, but on the whole this is a charming (rather than funny) piece, enjoyable throughout. Bergman casts several of his usual suspects who perform well. There is a great scene on the train between David, Marianne and an uncouth salesman which will stick in the memory. Some of the marriage material is typical, cynical Bergman, but this is Bergman in a light rather than dark mood.This film has its moments and is worth the 90-odd minutes. Not one of his classics and not the place to start if you want to fall for Bergman.
5 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :- Light Bergman, 7 January 2006 Author: LeRoyMarko from Toronto, Canada
See the lighter side of Bergman in this movie. Marital difficulties and challenges are explored. Even though there's some food for thought, the movie stays on the surface and doesn't go into lenghty analysis. Reminded me about some of Eric Rohmer's films, but without the fine details. Not to worry though, Bergman's lesson in love is still worth watching. It's charming, but mostly funny. It makes for an enjoyable 90 minutes. Great job by the lead actors Gunnar Björnstrand, Eva Dahlbeck and the beautiful Yvonne Lombard. But I would agree with others that the last 30 seconds of the film are questionable.Seen at home, in Toronto, on January 7th, 2006.82/100 (***)
2 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :- Surprisingly liberal for the 50's, 21 May 2000 Author: Magnus Näsmark
This movie makes me wonder a number of things: how come Swedish acting is so bad now when it was so good back then, if liberal thoughts like those in this movie made it to the big screen back in the 50's, how come there was a revolution in the 60's, what did the general public think of this movie at the opening. In this movie having a fling is presented as good for the marriage. The girl who strongly dislikes her feminine sides, and much rather wants to be a bay is accepted. I don't really want to go into the plot much more than that, but it is definitely worth watching, I just wish they would have dropped Cupid at the end.
5 out of 30 people found the following comment useful :- Ingmar Bergman may have made some great films, but this is not one of them., 21 February 2001 Author: Bengt Sjöberg (bengt_historiska) from Stockholm, Sweden
Ingmar Bergman may have made some great films, but this is not one of them. It´s intended to be funny and, I´m sad to say, I didn´t once have a good laugh. It´s a strange mixture between comedy and marital difficulties, which just doesn´t work, but Eva Dahlbeck, as usual, is brilliant. No, if you want to see a good Bergman-comedy, then watch Sweet Smiles of a Summer Night, it´s delightful and funny.
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