Review of Port of Call (1948) by Ben W — 08 Sep 2008

Bleak. another early bergman with a surprisingly hopeful ending. while this has many of the trademark bergman-isms in it and deals with familiar themes, I felt like the way in which he presented them was unusual for him as a filmmaker, primarily because there is more of an emphasis on the social state of these people than there are in many of his later films but even in some from this same eclipse criterion set, most notably to joy.

there is always some reference to the economic status of his characters but it seemed to play more of a role in this than others. the acting is much stiffer than we are used to and the story doesnt quite achieve the psychological penetration that most of his films do.

but I think we can chalk it up to it being in his formative years. if we think about it, its possible that he wouldnt have made the all the excellent films he had made if he wasnt allowed to refine his technique.

but even that is not to say that there arent good moments in it. but I would start with to joy if im going to go for some early bergman.