A Song for Martin

A Song for Martin

Directed by Bille August

Produced by SVT Drama

2001118 min5.5 / 10

A tender yet devastating portrait of love tested by cognitive decline, where devotion persists even as the beloved becomes unrecognizable.

Martin, conductor of a symphonic orchestra, meet Barbara, violine player and they start a relationship. Five years later Martin starts to develop loss of memory and becomes more and more confused. Finally he is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and Barbara tries to help as much as possible although Martin is often angry and violent towards her.

Questions people ask

  • Is A Song for Martin sad? Yes, very. More sad than 99% of films.

  • Does A Song for Martin end with hope? Not especially. Less hopeful than 70% of films.

  • Is A Song for Martin scary? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is A Song for Martin violent? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is A Song for Martin easy watching? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

22/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Conventional, and it does not land.

Rarity85

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise4

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love8

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like A Song for Martin

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as A Song for Martin

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like A Song for Martin, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like A Song for Martin, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like A Song for Martin, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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