En stulen vals: A messy, musical time capsule from 1932

Is En stulen vals worth your time today? Honestly, only if you have a soft spot for grainy, black-and-white 1930s films where everyone talks a little too loud. If you hate slow-moving plots or people acting like they're on a theater stage, you’ll probably want to skip this one.

It’s set in a Stockholm guest house. You’ve got all these music students hanging out, and the vibe is very much "we are young and artistic and slightly annoying."

Everyone is supposed to write a composition. It’s like a group project but with more drama.

The students try to bully Inga into playing her piece. She just won't do it. She’s got that classic movie-shy thing going on where she looks like she’s about to bolt for the door at any second.

So she goes for a walk. Just wanders off. It’s one of those movie walks where people look very thoughtful while doing absolutely nothing.

The Window Moment

She passes a window and hears this melody. It’s a waltz, obviously. The way she stops and listens is so dramatic, like she’s just heard the secrets of the universe and not just some guy playing piano.

The sound quality is a bit fuzzy, but you get the point. It’s the "stolen waltz" from the title. The whole movie kinda hangs on this one moment.

I noticed the way the rooms are decorated. Very cluttered. Lots of heavy curtains and stuff that looks like it would smell like old paper. It’s much more grounded than something like All Dolled Up, which feels way more polished.

Sickan Carlsson is in this. She’s like the golden girl of Swedish cinema from this era. She has this energy that just cuts through the grainy film stock.

There’s a scene where they’re all eating or hanging out in the common room. The way they talk over each other feels actually real, not scripted. Some of the extras in the back look like they aren't sure where to put their hands.

Specific thing I liked:

• The hats. Everyone has a great hat.
• The way the music students argue about what counts as "good" music. Some things never change.
• That one reaction shot of Eric Abrahamsson where he looks genuinely confused.

The pacing is... well, it's 1932. It doesn't move fast. It’s more like a stroll than a sprint. If you’ve seen The Noon Whistle, you know how these old shorts can feel quicker, but this one really takes its time sitting in the room with the characters.

Sometimes the camera stays on a face for three seconds too long. You start wondering if the director forgot to yell cut. It makes it feel a bit clunky.

But there’s a charm to it. It’s not trying to be a masterpiece. It’s just a story about a melody and some kids in Stockholm.

I found myself zoning out during some of the longer dialogue bits. Then a song would start and I'd be back in. The music is really the soul of the thing, even if the recording tech back then makes the high notes sound like a tea kettle.

Is it a bit predictable? Yeah. Does it matter? Not really. It’s like eating a plain piece of toast. It’s fine. It’s comforting.

The ending is exactly what you think it’ll be. No big twists here. Just a nice resolution that feels a bit too tidy, like they had to wrap it up before the film ran out.

Anyway, if you’re bored on a Sunday and want to feel like you’re in 1930s Sweden, give it a go. Just don’t expect it to change your life or anything. 🎬