Herbstsonate (1978)

Herbstsonate: Directed by Ingmar Bergman. With Ingrid Bergman, Liv Ullmann, Lena Nyman, Halvar Björk. A married daughter who longs for her mother’s love is visited by the latter, a successful concert pianist.

“Generally, either u0026quot;Seventh Sealu0026quot; or u0026quot;Personau0026quot; is the film that a critic will name if s/he is stuck with the task of naming Ingmar Bergmanu0026#39;s greatest achievement. A couple others might be named, but rarely do you hear a critic espouse the brilliance of u0026quot;Autumn Sonata.u0026quot;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe first thing I noticed about this film is that it is, like u0026quot;Cries and Whispers,u0026quot; 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.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThen thereu0026#39;s the shot of Liv Ullmanu0026#39;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 Livu0026#39;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.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eLater, itu0026#39;s Livu0026#39;s cruelty toward her mother in that unforgettable late night diatribe.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAnd finally, itu0026#39;s Livu0026#39;s crippled sister and Ingridu0026#39;s disgust at the thought that not only did mediocrity crawl out of her womb, but so did deformity and suffering.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe 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.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e(CAUTION: Dont take mom to see it on motheru0026#39;s day … unless…)”