Movie Review – Goodbye Again with Ingrid Bergman (1961)

This great black and white film which takes place in Paris and stars the beautiful Ingrid Bergman is somewhat of a classic and is based on a novel by Francoise Sagan entitled “Aimez-vous Brahms?” which means “Do You Like Brahms?”

Forty-year-old Paula Tessier (Ingrid Bergman) is very much in love with Roger Demarest (Yves Montand), yet fully aware that Roger avoids total commitment because he prefers being promiscuous with young girls. As a successful interior decorator, Paula is commissioned to redecorate the home of a wealthy Mrs. Van der Besh (Jessie Royce Landis) who has a son Philip, a practicing lawyer (Anthony Perkins).

At their first meeting, Philip falls in love with Paula and goes through the motions of what might be called stalking today. Paula is flattered with his attentions although she realizes only too well that Philip is 15 years her junior. Since her lover Roger is away many weekends, supposedly on business, Paula reluctantly agrees to accompany Philip to a concert production called “Aimez-vous Brahms”? They enjoy each other’s company although Paula insists that she and Roger have a future together. Philip happened to see Roger and a young girl with luggage getting into a taxi. He continues to be persistent in his efforts to win over Paula but does not reveal his untimely meeting with Roger. He succeeds in sharing Paula’s apartment while Roger is away for several weeks.

Roger is uncomfortably aware of Philip’s adoration for Paula; when he returns from his long absence, he tells Paula that he cannot live without her – words she has been waiting five years to hear.

This triangle has a quirky ending which will not be revealed here. You must view the movie in order to learn the outcome. The scenes of Paris are beautiful to see, even in black and white – the Arc de Triomphe, the river Seine, the Champs-Elysees Avenue are a delightful backdrop to the fashionable clothes worn by the main cast. Anthony Perkins won an award for best actor in the film at the Cannes Film Festival in 1961.

We forget how beautiful Ingrid Bergman was in her day. It is fortunate that we are able to view these old films from time to time. PBS was gracious to show this film from its library for Ingrid Bergman’s many fans who still clamor for a glimpse of her films today.

Source:

Movie – Goodbye Again (1961)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054936


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