A Lesson in Love (1954)

In the intricate dance of matrimony, David and Marianne Erneman find themselves entangled in a web of love, betrayal, and redemption after sixteen years of marriage. David, a distinguished gynecologist in his forties, finds himself caught in the throes of an illicit affair with his young patient, Susanne Verin, a married woman herself. The curtain falls on their secret rendezvous when Marianne, David's wife, discovers them in a clandestine liaison at a secluded hotel. In retaliation, Marianne rekindles an old flame with her ex-fiancé, Carl-Adam, a sculptor with a history not only with Marianne but also with David. Once close companions, Carl-Adam and David find themselves on opposite sides of the chessboard of love, their friendship strained by the unexpected revelation of David and Marianne's love on the morning of Marianne and Carl-Adam's wedding. In a desperate bid to mend the rift in his marriage, David chases the specter of his wife's infidelity, following her on a train journey from their home nestled in the heart of Sweden to the bustling streets of Malmo, and finally to the vibrant cityscape of Copenhagen. Here, Marianne plans to meet Carl-Adam, and David hopes to intercept their reunion. David, inspired by his parents' enduring fifty-year marriage, yearns for that same lifelong commitment with Marianne. However, he soon realizes that simply trailing her and professing his genuine feelings may not be sufficient to salvage their crumbling relationship. He becomes embroiled in a compelling journey of self-discovery and reconciliation, where the manipulative Carl-Adam and his enchanting friend Lise hold sway. In the face of past regrets and future uncertainties, David and Marianne traverse the turbulent waters of their marriage, finding themselves reminiscing about their shared history and contemplating their potential future. It's through these shared moments of vulnerability and truth that they begin to comprehend each other anew, leading to an unexpected reconciliation. Their tale serves as a poignant reminder of love's power to heal, endure, and ultimately, to rediscover itself.

A Lesson in Love is a comedy movie featuring Eva Dahlbeck.

A Lesson in Love is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.

It is also possible to buy A Lesson in Love on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.