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By
NICK ZEGARAC
"Intermezzo" is the
brilliant American adaptation of the Swedish film
by the same name. Enamored by her on-screen
presence in that film, producer David O. Selznick
imported Ingrid Bergman to Hollywood, a rare and
everlasting find that audiences the world over
should be eternally grateful for.
As in the Swedish version, Bergman plays Anita
Hoffman, a gifted piano teacher who meets violin
virtuoso, Holger Brandt (Leslie Howard) -- though
Selznick wanted Howard in the film, Howard only
agreed after Selznick acquiesced to giving him
co-producer screen credit for his efforts both in
front of and behind the camera.
Brandt's world tours keep him away from his
committed wife, Margit (Edna Best) and children.
The realization that his own life is passing him
by is spurred on when Brandt finds himself falling
in love with Anita. But a bittersweet Riviera
tryst drives the illicit lovers into their
separate destinies.
Selznick's impenetrable commitment to top of the
line production values and his way of concocting
dreamy gloss from human stories, make "Intermezzo"
a viscerally moving, poignant experience. Bring
Kleenex. Lots.
MGM's DVD is rather impressive. The B&W picture
exhibits a very nicely balanced grayscale with
smooth, solid blacks and very clean whites.
Age-related artifacts are present throughout but
do not distract. Some minor edge enhancement crops
up but pixelization is kept to a minimum. Overall
the picture will surely not disappoint. The audio
is mono but more than adequate for a film of this
vintage. There are no extras. |
