Ingmar Bergman's 'Autumn Sonata' is a devastating work of a family of three women, the husband/father has already passed as the film opens. The unbelievable performances pit Charlotte, the mother, a great pianist ( Ingrid Bergman ) with her daughter Eva ( Liv Ullman ) who resents much about her mother, including a seemingly disregard for her. This you learn as the film opens. Bergman, the director gets right to the heart of the matter. The gulf between mother and daughter might just as well be as enormous as the Grand Canyon so frayed are emotions we witness within the opening frame. There is no point in revealing the situation of the other daughter as I don't want to divulge the plot, simple as it is. The film truly boils down to a series of discussions, conversations and recriminations, but it is THESE VERY THINGS THAT PROPELS this movie into something different, special and very human. We are imperfect beings and problems lie about with everyone, without exception.
Autumn Sonata was one of Ingrid Bergman's last great screen roles for which she received yet another Oscar Nomination. Keep in mind Miss Bergman won THREE very meritorious OSCARS. Liv Ullman was her usual brilliant self and I was amazed she was overlooked by the Academy. I do believe they preferred the more subtle performance of Ingrid. What makes this film further intriguing is Ingmar Berman himself who in this later film lost nothing of his wizardly ways both as screenwriter and director. This film has literally no action as do a great number of director Bergman features. Yet we are so focused and interested in the film because of the enormous life issues. Any person who needs constant action in a movie would be walking out of this masterpiece within 10 minutes. It boggles the mind why so many are afraid of dialogue that is human and real. It's actually frightening. This is the rub! Many simply do not want to face problems of the human condition preferring to bury their heads in the sand. I love action movies and thrillers as well, but it does the soul good to see something deep and meaningful more often than not. These very intense life based films are what I actually prefer. I see many films but most I can dismiss with a 1 or 2 score because they say nothing and thus are worth nothing. I ask you. How much Hollywood junk can a person possibly absorb before going mad!? Why don't individuals ever get the urge to witness something more uplifting as a cinéma experience. I have no answer for this.
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