It is Budapest in the thirties. Jewish restaurateur Laszlo hires pianist András to play in his small restaurant. Ilona is the gorgeous hostess at Laszlo's. Both men fall in love with the seductive Ilona, who inspires András to write his only song, "Gloomy Sunday." The brooding melody grows very popular, and is later linked to a chain of suicides. The notoriety brings fame to both song and restaurant.
András and Laszlo contemplate sharing the stunning and affectionate Ilona. Laszlo says he would rather share her than lose her completely. András agrees. Laszlo offers Ilona kindness, stability and love. With András, she shares a profound passion. Unable to choose between the two, the three become an extended family - with an erotic twist.
Laszlo's restaurant is the focus of the film and the ménage-à-trois. Everybody comes to Laszlo's. The food is excellent, but people also come to gaze upon the beautiful Ilona, including a prototypical Aryan, Hans Wieck. Hans also falls for Ilona, and attempts suicide in a fit of despondency over her, from which Laszlo rescues him. The German Hans declares eternal loyalty to Laszlo.
Meanwhile, Ilona is beautiful, warm and sensuous enough to make this trio of tragically smitten men plausible.
When Hans Weick later returns to Budapest, he is one of the Nazis in charge of transporting Jews out of the city. As he performs his grim task, the song "Gloomy Sunday" continues to weave its seductive and haunting melody. And as the song ascends in popularity, the Germans rise in power. The inevitable demise of Laszlo's restaurant serves as metaphor for the fall of Europe, and the horror of the time serves as powerful backdrop.
I was grateful that "Gloomy Sunday" - which is based on a true story - didn't attempt to tackle the Holocaust and anti-Semitism head-on. For me, its indirect approach said more about the darkness of the Nazi regime than countless shots of barking dogs, smoky crematoria and emaciated bodies. And Hans's eventual, inevitable cruelty has a punishing - if predictable - heft and resonance.
A surprise ending "twist" provides a satisfying close to a moving tale of doomed and desperate love in the tragic circumstances of war.
Elizabeth Margolis-Pineo is a creative design professional In the Portland area. She has been a member of the MJFF board since 2001. www.margolispineo.com