Review of Winter Light (1963) by Grant P — 09 Nov 2007
From allmovie: The second film in his trilogy on faith, Ingmar Bergman's Winter Light (1962) is an austere chamber piece that encapsulates a pastor's theological crisis within one Sunday afternoon.
Suffering from an emotional shut-down and a spiritual void, the priest's ability to hear only "God's silence" permeates the film, beginning with the opening recitation of the Lord's Prayer superimposed over shots of the parish's desolate, snow-covered houses.
Featuring no music, few sets, a small cast, and stark black-and-white photography by Sven Nykvist, Bergman's spare style is an intense complement to the central dilemma; whether they are shown in close-ups or in long shots dwarfed by their surroundings, the characters exist in a literal isolation that has no solution or outlet.
A harsh, powerful study of religious and personal alienation, Winter Light is a testament to Bergman's formidable artistic control -- and not a film for those seeking escapist entertainment.
This review of Winter Light (1963) was written by Grant P on 09 Nov 2007.
Winter Light has generally received very positive reviews.
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