Review of Wild Strawberries (2012) by Terence L — 28 Aug 2007

This movie is a tribute to Old Age. It is very insecure in the beginning, and the nightmare accentuates the idea. The voice-over is also very unsettling. However, during the road trip the movie becomes more and more humane and warm. Fear is transformed into a feeling of tranquility and the sense of loss is changed to a mere nostalgic and bittersweet feeling. What is the cause of change? should be acceptance. He accepts the approaching death, the fact that he has lost something in his adulthood, and that he has failed to comprehend human emotions and deal with relationships.

While The Seventh Seal only talks about accepting death, Wild Strawberries talks about accepting everything in the world as it is. Only by overcoming fear and despair, and facing up to his own guilty self, can Izak find himself at peace. In the concluding scene, Izak recalls his childhood again, finally achieving a peace of mind from his memory. His recovering his parents symbolises his return to his very beginning of life, where everything is new, hopeful, and filled with warmth. This is an affirmation of existence, very much like what The Seventh Seal implies.

The several dream sequences showcased in this movie are excellent, especially the first one about the confrontation with his own death, and the surrealistic inquisition during which he makes a succession of errors. They are very symbolic of Izak's psyche and I think David Lynch's trademark dreamlike sequences copy a great deal from these few scenes.

However, I still give this movie 4 stars instead of 5 because I cannot quite connect with it although it is very very well made. Perhaps when I get older I will appreciate it more and make it into my favourite movie list.