Smiles of a Summer Night is a 1955 Swedish comedy-drama film written and directed by Ingmar Bergman. It is one of his most popular and acclaimed films, and considered to be a masterpiece by many critics.
The film is set in the early 20th century in Sweden and centers around a group of characters who are all interconnected through love and infidelity. The primary storyline follows Fredrik Egerman, a middle-aged lawyer who is married to the young and beautiful Anne, but they have yet to consummate their marriage. Fredrik's son, Henrik, is a seminary student who lusts after his stepmother, while Desiree Armfeldt, a famous actress and Fredrik's former lover, is still enamored with him.
When Desiree invites Fredrik and his family to a weekend retreat at her mother's country estate, she also invites her current lover, a count, as well as his wife. The stage is set for a weekend of romantic entanglements and sexual escapades as the four couples engage in a game of musical chairs, swapping partners and revealing their true desires and motivations.
Throughout the film, Bergman explores themes of love, lust, jealousy, and betrayal, while also infusing the story with humor and wit. The dialogue is sharp and clever, and the performances by the ensemble cast are superb.
Smiles of a Summer Night was a critical and commercial success, both in Sweden and internationally. It received numerous awards and nominations, including the Palme d'Or at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival. The film has since become a classic of world cinema and a landmark in Bergman's career.