Smiles of a Summer Night

In the film set in Sweden around the early 1900s, Smiles of a Summer Night explores the intricate romantic entanglements and emotional conflicts of a diverse group of characters, all brought together by a traditional Midsummer celebration. The story primarily revolves around Gunnar Björnstrand as Fredrik Egerman, a middle-aged lawyer who is caught in a complicated marriage with his much younger wife, Ulla Jacobsson as Anne. Their two-year marriage remains unfulfilled because Anne is hesitant to consummate their union, setting the stage for ongoing tension and miscommunication.

Fredrik also grapples with his past, having had an affair with the glamorous stage actress Eva Dahlbeck as Desiree Armfeldt, who has since moved on but shares a complicated history with him. Desiree, a talented performer, is now involved with Jarl Kulle as Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm, a charismatic army officer. The couple’s relationship is further complicated by his wife, Charlotte, played by Margit Carlqvist, who is an old friend of Anne’s and secretly harbors feelings for her.

Meanwhile, Desiree is raising a young son, Fredrik Armfeldt, hinting at the possibility that Egerman might be his biological father, though this is never explicitly confirmed. Desiree’s personal life is also marked by her broken relationship with Egerman, which she reflects on while entertaining suitors and contemplating her own desires.

At the same time, Henrik Egerman, the young son of Fredrik from his late first marriage, is portrayed by Björn Bjelfvenstam. Henrik is in his early twenties and studying to become a minister but is tormented by an intense, taboo love for his stepmother, Anne. To distract himself from his forbidden feelings, Henrik attempts an unresolved affair with Petra, played by Harriet Andersson, who is a lively and forward young servant.

The narrative takes a humorous turn when Fredrik visits Desiree one evening to seek her advice on his marital issues, but their encounter results in a physical fall into a puddle outside her house. Desiree quickly dresses Fredrik in the Count’s nightshirt, unwittingly sparking a jealous confrontation when the Count himself arrives. The Count, deeply possessive and easily enraged, orders Egerman to leave, leading to a heated argument between Desiree and him. Following this, Desiree and the Count decide to part ways amicably, further complicating their web of relationships.

In a dramatic twist, the Count, filled with jealousy, confesses to Charlotte, his wife, about his suspicions regarding Egerman’s infidelity—though no such affair has taken place. Charlotte, played by Birgitta Valberg, confesses her own feelings and love for the Count despite his jealousy. She visits Anne, where she admits her true emotions and willingness to do anything to be loved, highlighting the theme of unfulfilled longing.

The film’s climax occurs during the Midsummer Night festivities, a celebration that symbolizes renewal and hope. Desiree’s mother, portrayed by Naima Wifstrand, hosts a gathering at her countryside house, bringing together all the characters. During this enchanted night, the characters’ secrets unravel and new alliances form. Henrik and Anne, unexpectedly left alone, decide to elope with the help of Petra and her lover Frid, a young servant also depicted in the story. Jullan Kindahl as Beata and Gull Natorp as Malla are among the other figures present in this lively, rustic setting.

As the night unfolds, Viveca Heister and others add to the spirited atmosphere. The Count, bursting with renewed jealousy, challenges Fredrik to a game of Russian roulette, a tense and symbolic moment that explores themes of risk, love, and loyalty. Surprisingly, Egerman loses, but the revolver was loaded with soot, so no one is harmed, symbolizing the absurdity and façades of their passions. With feelings of jealousy cooled, the Count reunites with his wife Charlotte, and the trust between them begins to mend. Desiree, sensing the fragile hope for love, comforts Egerman, who expresses his desire for her not to leave him.

Throughout this night filled with laughter, tears, and unspoken longing, the characters’ romantic dilemmas appear to find resolution, at least temporarily. The story ends on a note of optimism, with Frid noting that the night seemed to smile upon them all, suggesting that hope and love can emerge even from the most tangled and complicated emotional knots.

Smiles of a Summer Night, directed by Bibi Andersson, masterfully combines comedy, romance, and tragedy to depict the humorous complexity of human relationships, set against the lush beauty of the Swedish countryside. It is a poignant reminder that life’s most beautiful moments can sometimes take place in the smallest, most unexpected of evenings.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:14