Review of Persona (1966) by Kenneth B — 23 May 2012
Oh God, what a beautiful film. From Ingmar Bergman in 1966, Persona is one of the sharpest pictures I've ever seen of psychosis, introspection, and desire. Suddenly mute actress Elisabet (Liv Ullman) and cloying nurse Alma (Bibi Andersson) share an isolated cottage for Elisabet's treatment, and their time is one of cutting psychological realizations, sumptuous and artful mood, and powerful poetry.
The main story is breathtaking -- Alma's plaintive looks to Elisabet, the erotic reminiscence they share at one point, every stunningly-crafted frame -- but it's cut (only very occasionally) by stabs of horrifying sympathy: Christ's hand being nailed, Tich Kwong Duuc's self-immolation, and one of the Holocaust's more heartbreaking photos of a boy about to be shot.
This review of Persona (1966) was written by Kenneth B on 23 May 2012.
Persona has generally received very positive reviews.
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