Wild Strawberries

1957

Dir: Ingmar Bergman

Bergman in classic form as an elderly man reexamines his life and ruminates on lost opportunities and old wounds. Even more symbolic than the other films of his that I have seen, here we have full on dream sequences laden with impenetrable images. Not quite as depressing as some others, even showing humor at times, this movie very difficult to review after one sitting. It is much smarter than I am.

A retired doctor is returning home to be honored. Traveling with him is his daughter-in-law, who has separated from the doctor's cold and depressed son. Along the journey, the doctor must revisit his past loves and consider their impact on his present day familial relationships. As usual, the script is dense and contemplative, suffused with existential and metaphysical speculation.

The movie is great, but failed to really grab me like the Trilogy or Fanny and Alexander did. I have no doubt that further viewings will open it up to me. Highly recommended because it is obviously brilliant, but requires a lot of effort on the part of the viewer.

MAP