Just a Rotten Title

I think the title "Song of Love" shows all that is wrong with this movie... It has the greatest actors of its time, and not just one, but THREE of the best composers ever. The music is treated with love, and we are treated to the love Clara had for Robert, and that Brahms had for Clara--and even her children. But someone--perhaps the studio?--apparently tried to refocus the film on a romantic story of devotion--a tool in that postwar effort to brainwash American women into thinking their highest and only duty was breed and raise children, regardless what genius they possess what love they have and is had for them. I expected schmaltz and someone tried to deliver---but that's not what this film is.

The music is exceptional and it even looks as tho everyone is actually playing. Kudos! A better title and a deeper, honest treatment of Schumann's mental disorder would have created a much better film--but this is not bad by any stretch. It's just a bit too screechy with 7 kids--we didn't need to spend the day there with them. ;) But it gave us a better look into the composer of the greatest lullaby ever, a chance to hear more of Brahms' work, and imagine what it might have been like to hear these composers play their own works.