2014 Blind Spot Series: Wild Strawberries

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What I knew going in: Not much, only that when I asked for recommended Bergman films, this one came up frequently. 

 Igmar Bergman was the director I had in mind when I started my Blind Spot list. His films occupied 3 spots in my 2014 list, and 2 more in my preliminary 2015 one. This one was almost always recommended.

 Dr. Isak Borg (Victor Sjostrom) is a professor that's been isolated from nearly everyone for many years. He's on his way to a University to pick up an honorary award and decides last minute he's going to drive there. Along the way with his daughter in law, Marianne (Ingrid Thulin) and eventually a few other passengers (including Bergman favorite Bibi Andersson) he reminiscences about his life and comes to the realization that maybe he's been a little too distant.

 I kind of felt like this movie was a few beats away from being a road trip comedy. At least Bergman road trip comedy. Parts were amusing, other parts very ethereal. I think the pacing kind of dulls the movie a bit in places, but the story was fascinating and Sjostrom was wonderful. I can see why this is a Bergman favorite. I definitely preferred Persona to this one, but this was still a good watch.

 Grade: B-

 Memorable Quote: "I have liked having you in that house." - Isak Borg (Victor Sjostrom)

Comments

  1. thevoid99October 26, 2014 at 6:34 PM

    This is among my five favorite films by Bergman. Persona/Cries & Whispers is sharing the top spot. I recently finished his Faith trilogy of the early 60s and I still have a long way to go. I went through most of his classic work. Now I want to go for everything he's done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 27, 2014 at 2:40 PM

      Hmm. I don't have either of those two in my list, I'll have to add them.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousOctober 27, 2014 at 8:17 AM

    Like I said on Twitter, I'm with you here. I like this movie, but it is lacking in areas and just doesn't connect like his other films. I love Bergman though, like REALLY love him, so I'd explore more if I were you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 27, 2014 at 2:40 PM

      I definitely am, I've got a lot of Bergman in my Netflix queue.

      Delete
  3. s.October 27, 2014 at 1:19 PM

    Oh I had been lucky to see this on the big screen - it's my fav Bergman, mostly because it's not as depressing as others :) The dream sequence in this movie is just incredible.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 27, 2014 at 2:39 PM

      lol. Is this really his most light hearted piece of work? Oh boy..

      Delete
  4. AnonymousOctober 28, 2014 at 3:55 AM

    I haven't seen this one but I should watch it soon. I can recommend Through A Glass Darkly if you haven't seen it already. It's very atmospheric and thought provoking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 28, 2014 at 6:37 AM

      I haven't even heard of that one, I'll throw it in my queue. Thanks!

      Delete
  5. JoshDecember 2, 2014 at 1:57 PM

    Glad you liked it overall. This one always sucks me in from the beginning. Of course, most Bergman films do. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamDecember 3, 2014 at 7:34 AM

      I can see why he's such a celebrated filmmaker. He's on my Blind Spot list again twice next year, and my December Blind Spot is one of his too.

      Delete

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