A Little Night Music

Widower Frederich Egerman is a successful lawyer with a strained marriage to Anne. He attends a touring theatre where Desiree Armfeldt, his old flame, appears on stage. After the performance, they reunite in Desiree's dressing room, reigniting their past chemistry while Anne's insecurity simmers at home.

Count Carl-Magnus Mittelheim arrives and confronts Frederich about the eye contact with Desiree. Desiree tries to cover for Frederich, but Carl-Magnus reports the encounter to his wife Charlotte, who intends to use it to manipulate Anne. Anne chooses not to confront Frederich, hoping to avoid a scandal.

Charlotte informs Anne that attending a country weekend could protect her own marriage by outsmarting Desiree. Anne initially resists, feeling insulted, but Charlotte persuades her to go along as a strategic move. The stage is set for a weekend that could determine many fortunes.

Desiree secures an invitation to the Armfeldt country estate, hoping Frederich will abandon Anne. Frederich, unaware of the full dynamics, prepares for a social weekend as the other couples travel to the countryside.

The Egerman and Mittelheim parties arrive at the estate, bringing tension and hidden motives. Desiree and Charlotte plot, while Erich remains conflicted as he notices the growing closeness between his mother and Desiree's charm.

During dinner, Charlotte openly flirts with Frederich and Desiree retorts, escalating the social sharpness in the room. Erich speaks up to challenge the pretenses around the couples, highlighting the absurdity of their behavior, before running outside in despair. Fredericka privately tells Anne the truth about Erich's feelings, stopping him from acting on his despair.

Anne learns of Erich's love for her from Fredericka, and compassion tempers her decisions. Anne and Erich share a kiss and decide to run away together, seeking a way out of the tangled relationships. The moment shifts the balance away from Frederich's marriage.

In her private chamber, Desiree confesses how much she longs to be with Frederich. Frederich acknowledges that part of him wants Desiree, but his commitment to Anne keeps him from leaving. The confession deepens the emotional stalemate.

Anne and Erich flee together, disrupting the fragile balance of the household. Charlotte consoles Frederich as rumors swirl, and Carl-Magnus grows furious, prompting him to challenge Frederich to a game of Russian roulette. The duel promises to decide more than honor.

The duel culminates in a tense moment of Russian roulette. Frederich winds up with a loaded chamber, but he only grazes his ear, narrowly surviving. Desiree rushes to his side as the men retreat, leaving questions in the air.

Carl-Magnus and Charlotte depart, leaving Frederich to face the consequences of the weekend. Frederich recalls seeing Erich and Anne run off, and he begins to accept a future with Desiree, acknowledging the pull of a life beyond his marriage. Desiree embodies the chance for true companionship that has eluded them both.

With the weekend behind them, Frederich resolves to pursue a life with Desiree, even as he maintains ties to Anne and Erich’s choices loom over the family. Desiree, seeking stability after years of wandering as an actress, accepts the possibility of a permanent partnership. The story closes on a note of uncertain happiness and new beginnings.