Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by tinear (A) on March 09, 2007 at 16:03:25

appreciated it a lot more. Truly, a classic. The dream sequence alone is brilliant.
Now, to the quibbles and why I don't think it's in the "greatest film" category:
Bergman's introduction of characters is unbelievable and absolutely contrary to convention. The accidental meeting with the young girl and her two suitors is but one example: give them all a ride so spontaneously? Invite them along for lodging and attending his award ceremony? Now, once the artificial intrusions were effected, the dialogue and situations were memorable.
It seems like a quibble but it occurs so much, and is so forced, as to lessen the impact and remind the viewer quite abruptly and several times, that he is watching brilliant artifice.
I suppose one could see this as unimportant and accept it as an old man's dreaming but that isn't what Bergman even hints at: the dream sequences and flashbacks clearly are so.
Still, for its depiction of the different stages of a man's life, this film is unsurpassed. The humanity seems quite startling, especially in these days of bland filmmakers, afraid of making any kind of philosophical argument, excepting nihilism.