Liebelei (Flirtation) (Light O'Love) (Playing at Love) (1936)

Militarist strictures and emotional impulses are the contrasting poles of this masterpiece

a fine early work of max ophuls, before he fled germany and the rise of the nazis. the archetypal romantic tear jerker has some beautiful scenes and displays many of ophuls' trademarks. with a charming lead performance by magda schneider, the mother of romy, who would herself play the part in 1958 remake of the film called 'christine' opposite young alain delon. ophuls himself also reshot the film in french using most of the original cast and retitled une histoire d'amour. as in most cases, the original is best