The lush poster is reminiscent of "Moulin Rouge," so I thought I'd have a peek. Save for a sweet stroll of the lead actress, dressed in a brilliant red dress contrasting the blue-tinted black and white film of that period, into a full color risqué dance club; "Bride of the Wind" has nearly nothing else graphically in common with Moulin.

Both films are of similar eras (early 1900's), Moulin in Paris, Bride in Vienna. A docu-drama on the life and loves of Alma Mahler, beautiful young and talented widow of classical composer Gustav Mahler, the film follows her through her relationships with some famous artists of the time. She's classy, brassy, bold and like most of us, in search of a way to live her dreams while raising a family. Since this is a task not so easily accomplished, Alma fields the ups and downs.

Bland dialogue drapes across splendid cinematography, as we watch Alma at the piano, choosing lovers, raising her children. The dialogue pauses for the film's most captivating moments ... those accompanied by music and images. Rich, relaxing and nearly passionate, the sequence in which one of her lovers paints the film's namesake painting ends far too soon. In fact, Bride could have benefited by more and longer such musical reprieves.

Gustav, after just a week asks for her parent's blessings. The stepfather replies with one of the scripts' too-few interesting lines, "If you knew Alma well enough, you'd know she'd marry you with or without our approval."

I also enjoyed the daughter's smile just after Oskar curses Gustav's statue.

All in all, a faint soapy story, graced with very pretty visuals (costumes/set design/cinematography) crowned with a relaxing soundtrack and pace.