Directed by Ingmar Bergman
Written by Ingmar Bergman
1978/Sweden
IMDb page
Repeat viewing/Criterion Channel
Eva: A mother and a daughter, what a terrible combination.
Another beautiful Bergman film about people’s inability to connect.
Eva (Liv Ullmann) is a rather mousey woman who has married a parson. They have no children but Eva likes looking her after her severely disabled sister Helena (Lena Nyman). She invites her mother Charlotte (Ingrid Bergman, who has just lost her long-time partner, to spend a few days or weeks with them. Charlotte agrees and Eva is elated to see her again after seven years. Charlotte is a famous concert pianist who has spent most of her time touring since Eva was a child. She has simply tried to ignore the existence of Helena and is not pleased she wasn’t told in advance she would also be at Eva’s house.
Charlotte is self-absorbed and has neglected her children in favor of her career. We later learn that Eva was lessmiserable when her mother was on the road than when she was at home and her mother tried to “fix” her.
During the visit, Eva lets out her pent-up rage.
Bergman and Bergman make a good combination. And certainly Ullmann always disappears into her parts. It’s a deep and disturbing movie. Recommended.
Autumn Sonata was nominated for Oscars in the categories of Best Actress (Bergman) and Best Original Screenplay.
Clip
In graduate school, I wrote a paper on AUTUMN SONATA. I recall that Bergman and Bergman did make a good combination!
It holds up perfectly as people will be people. I am really dreading my rewatch of The Deer Hunter. Can I really tolerate 3 hours of the horrors of war? Will put it off for one more day.
In 1978, I found THE DEER HUNTER almost impossible to watch. We were, however, excited that Ohio locations were used in the film. Here are some details: https://www.movie-locations.com/movies/d/Deer-Hunter.php
It’s always nice to see familiar scenes in a movie!