Review of Persona (1966) by Katr?Na K — 12 Jan 2009

I watched this as part of my uni's film society and at first I thought maybe I didn't enjoy it because I misunderstood it, but following the post-film discussion I realised that I was the only person who did understand it (not counting those who'd already seen it). I explained it to them and yeah, that explanation held up.

So I suppose that means I'm completely justified in not enjoying it.

Although whenever it tries any arthouse tricks and plays with the conventions of cinema it just feels like a parody of arthouse cinema in general, the film itself is mostly made fairly well.

I just plain didn't enjoy it. Didn't enjoy the subject matter, the characters, the music... anything. That's not to say they're bad. It's one of those films where they're good, you just don't click.

Personal enjoyment: 4/10.

Actual quality as a film: 8/10.