Review of Wild Strawberries (2012) by Brent G — 09 Sep 2009

This did not disappoint. From the opening nightmare, which is strikingly haunting, to the final look on Victor Sjostromâ??s face, as his Professor Borg lays in bed and contemplates the fullness of his life, I found the film to be a wonderfully sophisticated work. I found it to be different from the other films of his I have seen, Winter Light and The Seventh Seal, in a sense that it felt warmer and more elegant overall, especially with Borg finally conceding and reciprocating his familyâ??s love at the end.

However, the surreal imagery and chastising dark revelations to the main character are still there, and I think that Bergman hits a flawless balance between handling his themes with gentle commisseration and with penetrating consequence. Sjostrom wonderfully plays Isak Borg, as we see the character change so genuinely throughout the course of his reinacted memories, and it doesnâ??t ever seem forced or trite. He does most of the acting with his facial expressions as he watches his childhood memories unfold before him. The same originality and honesty goes for the things that press Borg about his life, as Bergman decides the most prevalent flaw for the Professor: underneath his mechanical â??niceâ?? behavior, he is selfish and ruthless, which is a powerful thing to address about anyone. It is open for interpretation, as the ending is bittersweet. Borg realizes his flaws and makes amends with his family, and is told that he is now well-liked. However, he is still an old man who feels he has wasted his life.

As usual, this is beautifully shot, with very heavy light and dark contrasts. Borgâ??s dreamscapes seem surreal with blurred shadow here and there. The music is forboding yet somber. Bibi Andersson, Ingrid Thulin, and Gunnar Bjornstrand are their usual selves, providing an incredible supporting cast. Thulin really shone the most for me, as Marianne wound up being one of the best female characters I have seen in quite some time. She is empathetic and forgiving of Borg, yet she is also the one who is the most blunt with him about his behaviors as a human being. While we may fault her for being as blunt as she is, we can only thank her for her help by the end. When all is said and done, these words from Bibi Anderrson provide hope of reconcile for our main character:

â??Goodbye, Father Isak. Canâ??t you see youâ??re the one I love? Today, tomorrow, and forever.â??