Scenes from a marriage

Phases in the life of a couple separating after painfully clearing denied conflicts and later, after experiences with different partners, evolving to a new form of togetherness. The film which forever since has altered examinations of love, marriage, fidelity and betrayal. The image of Liv Ullman and Erland Josephson side by side in bed, both wearing glasses and reading a book and starting to discuss their marriage, until today is an icon in the battle of relationships. Formally quite simple, the intimate play densifies everyday problems and turns them into existential model like situations.
35-years-old lawyer Marianne and 42-years-old scientist Johan have been married for 10 years. In the beginning of the film they are being interviewed as a model couple for a journal’s Home Story. Marianne is being portrayed as her husband’s accessory while Johan is showing off. When one of Marianne’s clients cannot specify a cause for action but speaks of a “marriage without love” Marianne starts reflecting on her own marriage. She cannot find a way of talking to her husband however. Shortly afterwards, Johan surprises her by announcing that he has fallen in love with a 22-years-old student named Paula and that he wants to move abroad with her. Several years later they meet again to sign the divorce papers. Marianne tells openly about several other partners and insists on him signing the papers. Again, the game of disputes and reconciliation starts.