If one's wife (not the one in the movie but the one of this writer), who normally sternly disapproves of extramarital affairs for ethical as well as practical reasons (such as messing up the household finances) - if said wife admits to finding a measure of compassion with this film's Madelene, although she was by no means treated badly by her husband (for example not even beaten up one single time) - then director Käutner must have pulled that one off really cleverly. However, the husband (not the one in the movie but this writer) can't muster the same sympathy, because he cannot for the world image what the movie husband, or he in place of the movie husband, could have done to avoid his wife going astray, except composing a romanze in moll, which neither one could manage quite that well. So this is a very realistic and important film that raises the big questions of life, marriage and how to keep the latter everlasting happy. Off-hand, a harem-type setup seems to be the best solution.
Review of Romanze in Moll
