Höstsonaten

Generally, either "Seventh Seal" or "Persona" is the film that a critic will name if s/he is stuck with the task of naming Ingmar Bergman's greatest achievement. A couple others might be named, but rarely do you hear a critic espouse the brilliance of "Autumn Sonata."

The first thing I noticed about this film is that it is, like "Cries and Whispers," nothing less than a painting. The textures, the warm reds and the close-ups of the faces of wounded souls, all combine to make the viewer realize that s/he is witnessing High Art.

Then there's the shot of Liv Ullman's wounded profile as she stares at her mother, Ingrid Bergman, while mother shows Liv how the Chopin piece should be played. It is an eloquent scene. Truly heartbreaking and unforgettable. One can feel Liv's pain begin to show itself: it is the painful shame of inadequacy and mediocrity made all the more shameful because it is mother inspiring these feelings in her.

Later, it's Liv's cruelty toward her mother in that unforgettable late night diatribe.

And finally, it's Liv's crippled sister and Ingrid's disgust at the thought that not only did mediocrity crawl out of her womb, but so did deformity and suffering.

The film is bleak (obviously) and the resolution is only slightly hopeful. It is however a masterpiece -- a film that reveals that what the world needs now is not Love, as the song proclaims, but Compassion and Grace. Liv Ullman is the only actress who can say these things without opening her mouth. Ingmar Bergman is the only filmmaker who can make a seemingly banal story into an eloquent prayer for redemption and reconciliation.

(CAUTION: Dont take mom to see it on mother's day ... unless...)

　这部情节激荡的人情片讲述了一对母女之间的矛盾冲突。夏洛特（英格丽·褒曼饰）是杰出的乐团钢琴演奏员。她的女儿伊娃（利夫·乌尔曼饰）是一个农村社区的教区牧师的妻子。七年来，夏洛特第一次来看望女儿。母女都试着友好相处，却无法克服两人之间深深的感情鸿沟。伊娃怨恨母亲在童年时没有给与自己足够的爱护，觉得夏洛特更关心自己的事业和另一个女儿海琳（莱娜·尼曼饰），因为海琳高度残疾，只能发不清晰的音来与人交流。而夏洛特因为海琳和伊娃住在一起，最近丈夫的去世又使自己经受了极度的打击，感到十分不快。

4444(创建者)