"Autumn Sonata:" Ulllmann goes toe-to-toe with Ingrid Bergman in

Posted by tinear (A) on May 14, 2011 at 13:40:28

Ingmar's late period piece.
Lots of repressed feelings, all negative, as a mother and daughter get together after an 8-years separation. Bergman plays a successful concert pianist that is shocked to learn that ignoring her daughter during her career left scars. This is, quite obviously, the director's alter ego: he famously neglected his family (families). But it also mirrors the actress Ingrid's personal life, also: she said after the filming that she had never felt close to the "Italian" children she bore with her husband, always preferring her work.
This is a continuation of Bergman's small piece films, films that have three or four characters and that all are very much like extended psychoanalytical sessions. Not my favorite Bergman period. But, as this is Ingrid's last work--- she knew she was dying of cancer--- it is a fascinating look at a great actress at the very top of her game. Ullmann isn't blown-off the screen, but her wattage certainly isn't competitive.
In the end, thought "truth" seems to be very well served, one is left to wonder why this is somehow worth seeing? Most families have their similar problems and this dark vision doesn't make the viewer's life burden much easier, at all. One thing's clear: you wouldn't want to invite this director over for a drink.

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