Friday, May 25, 2007

Autumn Sonata - 1978, directed by Ingmar Bergman


In a showdown of two of the greater actresses in film history, Ingrid Bergman and Liv Ullmann are the anchors that hold this talky, relational analysis together. The direction is solid, and in typical Bergman fashion (Ingmar this time), we are presented with philosophical themes on issues that most can relate to. Not my absolute favourite Ingmar, but it's up there.

The film opens up with Viktor secretly watching his wife in admiration, as he tells us a little about the first time they met, and about the first time she saw the room in their house that is now her favourite. This scene proves to be the bookends of the film, although the second time around, the exposition is given in a different tone. Viktor's wife Eva (Ullmann) has invited her estranged mother Charlotte (Bergman) for a visit. When Charlotte gets there, she is told that her daughter Helena, who is struggling with a degenerate mental illness, is now living with Eva. After abandoning her children for the majority of her life as she pursued her career as a pianist, Charlotte isn't prepared to face the hard slap of reality that hits her on this visit. As words are shared and tempers escalate, we begin to see beneath the surface of both women's deeply rooted pain.

In what is called the performance of a lifetime, Ingrid Bergman completely inhabits Charlotte. Every bit of her performance rings true, and we end up caring for her far more than we would if her character was reduced to a caricature by a lesser performer. As her daughter Eva, Liv Ullmann provides an equal force that allows this expository study to work. Had the leads been any less credible, this film would simply not work. In a supporting role, Lena Nyman gives an excellent portrayal of Helena that I couldn't fail to mention.

The theme that stood out most to me was the look into how people who have children are sometimes unable to give what they have not been given. Charlotte's inability to show love to her children had stemmed from the lack of love she had received as a child. The way this theme, amongst many others, has been effectively handled makes this movie worth watching; and the possibility of redemption that is presented in the final scene shows what can happen when we allow repressed feelings to be released.

This film is not for everyone, as most will find it boring and uneventful. If you are looking to be entertained, look elsewhere; but if you are looking for a film that takes a look into parent-child relationships (particularly that between a mother and daughter), and offers explanations to ponder upon, then this is your ticket.

♥♦♠½ 8/10

© 2007 Kim Bartlett

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