Movie #: 784 Title: WILD STRAWBERRIES 1957

Rating: 9.00

Director (last): BERGMAN (first): INGMAR

Writer (last): Bergman (first): Ingmar

Terrific illustration of what is wrong with Hollywood and what is right about European films, whatever virtues Hollywood does have (and it has a few) and whatever failings art films have (also a few). Victor Seastrom is 78 year old Dr. Isak Borg, about to receive an honorary degree from his alma mater. He has a disturbing dream the night before he sets out in his car, along with his daughter-in-law, Marianne (Ingrid Thulin) to receive the award. On the way, he stops at a childhood summer home and relives some painful memories about a young woman, Sara (Bibi Andersson) he almost married. A young woman (played by the same actress) meets him and asks for a ride for herself and two male friends, a Christian and an atheist. They drop in to visit Borg's mother, then proceed to the ceremony. Borg finds out that his daughter-in-law is about to leave his son because he won't accept her pregnancy. His son claims is dead already, living without feeling in an empty shell. How can he take responsibility for bringing children into the world. Borg reaches an epiphany of sorts: that he has been selfish and unfeeling, and makes a mild but significant attempt to make amends. Compelling, real, and powerful. The only short-coming is the somewhat dated technique and a flavour of contrivance in the scenes from Borg's youth.

Is this movie a "gem"? No

Evil Twin:

Good Twin: Ikiru

 

Added: 1996-10-02 [yyyy-mm-dd]