Review of Autumn Sonata (1978) by Ben W — 18 Sep 2007

There are some similarities between this and cries and whispers, sure. but this one in comparison is alternately motivated. like any other bergman film it will shake you to your very core. the last screen appearance of ingrid bergman is outstanding.

and the performance of liv ullman is simply arresting. its so incredibly true. we should all delight in the fact that we dont lead lives like those of pretty much all of bergmans characters but then again we must recognize what part we in fact do have in the lives of this mother/daughter pair.

beautifully shot as always with brilliant red-orange colors. and the music; the piece by chopin masterfully played and perfectly placed in the scope of the movie. but unlike cries and whispers, I saw the conclusion of this film, while still depressing, to be much more hopeful.