Review of Winter Light (1963) by Ben W — 04 Aug 2008

Bergmans "religious" films are always good. this is not an exception. there are 2 primary ways to look at this film. the first sees that the film keeps its tone and outlook all the way through the last frame.

the other sees that there could be at least a slight shift in perspective in the last minute or so. but definitely not a film you would want to skip out even a few seconds early on. if you see it the first way, I think that the philosophy (you couldnt call it theology from this pov) I feel is blatantly incomplete.

these are all notions that we get as humans and to end the film on the same note it began, with basically no shifts of any kind, seems completely unworthy of becoming a film. this is why I think the other viewing is more appropriate.

and that is not to say that bergman in any way is professing religion to be an answer. I dont even know that it really has anything to do with any substantial amount of hope. but I do think its an ending that is believable and really brings something to the table other than "you might as well kill yourself now.

" nykvist does the cinematography which is surprisingly not "beautiful." probably one of my favorite cinematographers of all time, its interesting to see how the tone of the film dictates the placement of the camera.

and even though his shots are necessarily beautiful to behold, they are very interesting and still fill the eye.