Bergman Island

CinemaSerfJun 2022

3.5

Vicky Krieps ("Chris") and boyfriend Tim Roth ("Tony") set off for a working holiday on Fårö; the island made famous by the legendary film maker Ingmar Bergman who had his home, made many of his films, and fathered some of his nine children from six different women there too. "Tony" is an accomplished and acclaimed film maker and Bergman expert; she is less established and slightly intimidated by the dead man and by his surroundings - but both have screenplays to write. His task proves considerably more straightforward than her's, and what now ensues is a slowly paced, but enjoyable to watch dramatisation. She sets off around the island, meets new friends and ultimately comes up with her concept which she regales to "Tony" and the audience involving "Amy" (a charmingly vulnerable performance from Mia Wasikowska) and her relationship with "Joseph" (the disappointingly wooden Anders Danielsen Lie - who somewhat sacrilegiously wears underwear in a Swedish sauna!!). They are childhood sweethearts then lovers then parted then lovers again then... This is a lively tale that culminates in their arrival for a wedding when things come to a bit of an head. Simultaneously, the real life couple are facing a few crossroads of their own and what emerges from the shadows is a scenario that suggests more truth and substance from her fictional story than we maybe initially thought. It is beautifully shot, pays a modest degree of homage to Bergman, and allows a very natural and relaxed Roth and an effectively intense Krieps to deliver well and convincingly. It takes it's time, but I think that is deliberate and compared to many of Bergman's rather depressingly dreary films is a positive delight.

Yawn. Admittedly, there are some really nice things about this movie, especially the beautiful settings. The issue I have with this film is that when you don't have one tenth of the passion or internal conflict that is so Bergman, then you're not entitled to invoke the name of the master. ymmv