Review of Autumn Sonata (1978) by Ryan D — 16 Dec 2008

I lived in Dallas in the 1980s and went to the Bergman Film Festival there. It was the only trip he ever made to America. I got to shake his hand! Movie not recommended to people who cannot READ and Who CANNOT THINK AND FEEL.

This powerful film delves psychologically into the relationship of a mother and her daughter. (*actual 2 daughters) 90 minutes of absolutely gripping drama and real and unreal surrealism. The plot is covered in some of the other reviews.

Much of the film is indoors and in a way maybe this is where Woody Allen got some of his ideas for his movie Interiors. This is such a heavy look at our inner selve thoughts and feelings. What we look like and feel like to others.

The Mom (Ingrid Bergman) late in her life hence the autumn part of the name, finally has a day of forced reality with her daughter (She not seen for 7 years). The dynamics of Ullman and Bergman are incredible.

I wish more people could see that films are not meant simply to entertain but can delve deeply into the human psyche and human relationships. (In this case Mother -Daughter Relationships) This is one of the most powerful films I have ever seen including Bergman's Cries and Whispers and Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf (Cries and Whispers is even more powerful) However despite the Anguish Pain Drama Guilt Remorse through the entire movie Bergman provides a nice succinct resolution at the end of the movie and we leave with a relief that the film is over and a good slightly warm feeling This movie has to have some of the most incredible close ups ever filmed.

(Sometimes 5 minutes at a time for the nuances of their acting) I was simply anchored to my chair motionless to my set the entire 90 minutes and could not take my eyes off this powerful psychological film from Ingmar Bergman.