Thursday, May 31, 2007

Summer Interlude - 1951, directed by Ingmar Bergman


As perhaps one of the most critically acclaimed European filmmakers, Ingmar Bergman has directed many films that are held with highest regard. However, it is this relatively unknown gem that I find to be his most fascinating. Summer Interlude tells a timeless story of the effects of a broken heart and lost innocence in the wake of tragedy.

Marie is a ballerina facing the waning years of her career. On the night of a particular dress rehearsal, she receives a package that contains a diary, which upsets her considerably. As she begins to read through the contents of the diary, we are taken on a series of flashbacks that tell us her story.

The flashbacks are set over the course of a summer 13 years before, when an innocent, full of life and carefree Marie had just started out as a dancer. She meets a young college boy, Henrik, who had been a secret fan of hers; and over the course of the summer, developes a loving relationship with him. As the summer goes on, these two young lovers spend days and nights on end with each other and grow inseparable.

As the summer draws to a close, Marie begins to inexplicably feel a sense of worry and fear. And three days before the end of summer, Henrik takes a shallow dive off a cliff and suffers fatal injuries. Now years later, Marie has fortified barriers in her life that affects her current relationship.

This film takes a revealing look into how tragedy can change a person's life forever. Marie, who was so full of love and life, is now hardened and resistant to any form of love. The atmosphere is an even balance of eerily bleak to sublimely beautiful. The cinematography here is top notch, providing us with picturesque shots of a young and innocent summer; to dark, shadowy images of imminent tragedy.

As Marie, Swede actress Maj-Britt Nilsson gives one of my favourite female performances of all-time. She is absolutely perfect. Fine supporting performances are provided by Birger Malmsten as Henrik, and Alf Kjellin as Marie's current boyfriend David, but these pale in comparison to the delightful turn that Nilsson provides.

Although I consider Ingmar Bergman to be a 'hit or miss' director with me, I respect his work immensely. This film, while not as acclaimed or well-known as his generally regarded classics, is my absolute favourite of his. I've heard films called 'poetic' and 'lyrical', and both these traits are on display here. Summer Interlude is in one word: alluring. And it's conclusion, which provides a beautifully realised sense of hope, makes this film one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

© 2007 Kim Bartlett

2 comments:

  1. Interesting Bergman choice. I haven't seen anything pre-Seventh Seal, and have been wondering which of his earlier films to start off with. Perhaps I'll have to make it this one.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I found this one by mistake actually, probably one of the best mistakes I've made film-wise.

    ReplyDelete

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