The Charge
A mother faces her biggest
challenge...the judgment of a daughter, and the specter of their
shared past.
The Opening Statement
Autumn
Sonata qualifies as yet another stupendous special edition from
the Criterion Collection. It contains all the best that DVD has to
offer, a wonderful gem film, intimately shot by a gifted director
and cinematographer, and a commentary track by one of the most
insightful critics on the planet.
The Evidence
By
now, most of you should be familiar with the work of Criterion. But
just in case, here's a quick refresher course. The Criterion
Collection is a group of movies selected by Janus Films as being
representative of the best film has to offer. We often refer to the
company as Criterion, but that really is a bit of a misnomer. In any
event, I shall continue this bastardization of the company behind
the collection because it is how most of our readers recognize them.
Frankly they should simply change the name of the company and be
done with it. In any event, Criterion could easily claim that they
have started everything we have in DVD today. They were the first to
really push widescreen in any format (Laserdisc) and the first to
command premium prices for special editions of those discs. They
invented the commentary track. And their ultimate goal is to adhere
to the wishes of the director, trying to bring his or her vision
into our homes. In other words, they are the progenitor of all we
are enjoying today in the best that DVD has to offer.
Their
latest release, Ingmar Bergman's Autumn Sonata is another in
their own line of DVD's, and it is exceptional. I am a relative
newcomer to Bergman's work, and this was my first viewing of this
particular film. It is a severe counterpoint to much of the work
being done in and around Hollywood today. Whether one attributes
this fact to differing cultures, ages, or abilities, matters not.
The point is there IS a difference, and a serious one at that. This
difference no doubt, is what appeals to fans of foreign films as a
genre.
Autumn Sonata tells the story of a broken
relationship between mother and daughter, and tries, to a degree, to
portray the relationship onscreen as rather emblematic of all mother
daughter relationships. Charlotte (the mother), played beautifully
by Ingrid Bergman (Casablanca,
Notorious,
Joan of Arc) is a renowned concert pianist who spent many
days and weeks, and even months away from home while her daughters
were raised by their father. Her oldest daughter Eva, played by Liv
Ullman (A Bridge Too Far, 40 Carats, Pope Joan)
has invited Charlotte to stay for a while in the country estate
where she and her husband live. The two have not spoken in person
for over seven years.
The writing is exceptional, and reminds
me of "Buried Child" or some other Sam Shepard play. The big
difference being the setting has changed from a dysfunctional family
set in the Great Plains of 1950s America to a dysfunctional family
set in the great fjords and fells of 1970s Norway.
As great
as the writing is, the acting is what makes this film. Ingrid
Bergman is literally astounding. Unable to rely on the sweet beauty
of her youth and the sweeping motions of her stage career training,
the actress is forced to carry us into her world by small,
contorted, and painful facial and body language. She succeeds with
such brute force that one cannot help but feel Bergman herself had
lived this role prior to acting it, which is largely the case. She
spoke out after the filming of Autumn Sonata of her great
sorrow of having essentially abandoned her children in order to
pursue her own career. The impact on screen of these feelings is
palpable. Liv Ullman is equally effective in the role of Eva. A far
more emotive part, Eva confronts her mother with their shared past
in a brutal and unforgiving way. But Ullman keeps pace with
Bergman's work on screen and her character is clearly the driving
force of the conflicts, which sustain us for the duration of the
film.
The 1.66:1 video transfer is not enhanced for
widescreen TV's, but that doesn't keep it from looking marvelous.
Ingmar Bergman sets a mood to film as well as any director ever, and
Autumn Sonata is no exception. We have sweeping vistas of
mountains set off in a cold and distant fashion, foreshadowing the
cold and distant relationship between mother and daughter. There is
a marvelous series of scenes where Charlotte is looking back,
remembering the hospital room where her lover has died. Best of all,
Bergman utilizes many close-ups, and he's not afraid to hold them
uncomfortably long. One close-up shot early in the film shows mother
and daughter catching up on old times in a congenial way. Both faces
remain in the picture, one in profile, and the other turned straight
on the camera. The camera doesn't move for well over 90 seconds! The
sets are beautiful as well, including strong colors like a gold
painted bedroom for Charlotte and a dark red painted stairway hall.
The colors literally jump off the screen at you. Very nicely done by
the team at Criterion.
The audio track is mono only, in
keeping with the original theatrical release of the film. The
soundtrack utilizes various piano pieces, sometimes played by the
characters themselves. There is a wonderful scene where Eva tries to
play a very difficult, somber piano piece, in honor of her mother's
arrival only to be criticized and set aside while Charlotte goes on
to play the piece to perfection. This scene illustrates perfectly
well, Charlotte's inability to think f anyone other than herself and
how important it is for her to be seen positively by those around
her, even if it means demeaning her daughter.
The extras here
are few, but of very high quality. We get the typical original
Swedish theatrical trailer, sure. But we also get a film commentary
track by noted film historian Peter Cowie. Cowie is not only an
expert on film in general, but particularly expert in all matters
Bergman. He has authored many books on the subject both generally
and specifically, including "Ingmar Bergman: A Critical Biography,"
"Finnish Cinema," "Icelandic Films," "Max von Sydow: from the
Seventh seal to Pelle the conquerer," "Scandinavian Cinema," and
"Swedish Cinema, from Ingeborg Holm to Fanny and Alexander." And let
me tell you, Cowie can write! I am in the midst of his biography on
Coppola and it is very well done.
He may be one of the best
at offering up a detailed commentary on a film with which he is
familiar. This commentary track is no exception. It is entertaining
and wonderfully informative, while never boring. In other words,
this is an exemplary track, which many other studios would do well
to imitate. I realize there are only so many Peter Cowies in this
world, but the majors need to seek them out and involve them in
their productions.
The Rebuttal Witnesses
Just
about the only trouble here is the transfer. It has not been
digitally restored the way Criterion handles so many of their older
releases. This is no doubt due to the relative youth of the transfer
elements. The film is not really that old, and I suspect the
internegative used was of good, but not necessarily great, quality.
The transfer suffers from some nicks and scratches, some more
noticeable than others, but none of which would prevent me from
highly recommending this disc. Despite the minor annoyance of these
flaws, the transfer still rates very highly.
The Closing
Statement
Autumn Sonata is another outstanding example
of the best that DVD has to offer fans of the format. The movie is
outstanding - tautly written and directed and powerfully acted. The
cinematography is gorgeous and well composed. The commentary track,
exemplary. This is a must have for fans of Swedish films, as a
quality example of Bergman's later work. Also fans of Ingrid Bergman
will want to snatch this up as it easily represents her finest and
perhaps most personal work.
The Verdict
Criterion
is acquitted of all charges. Ingrid Bergman proves herself to be one
of the finest actors of her day and not just another pretty face. As
a result, any burden associated with that distinction is summarily
lifted from her historical shoulders. Disc and film are also
acquitted wonderfully with this release. All charges
dismissed!
From DVD
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