Interlude

A minor but entirely delightful film, based on a James M Cain story previously filmed in 1939 by John M Stahl as When Tomorrow Comes: American-girl-in-Europe falls in love with famous classical conductor (Brazzi, oozing charm from every pore). Redolent with guidebook sentiment, and resolutely egalitarian, Sirk's film (as always) subverts the crude dictates of his studio model. The lover comes to rely increasingly on the heroine's 'naïve' strength, and Sirk uses a 'dark secret' subplot (Brazzi's dramatically insane wife) to weave fairytale darkness into a landscape of wide, clear colour. The woman's desire, and her (transient) happiness are allowed to transcend the usually tyrannical alternative: torrid passion or marital affection.