Autumn Sonata (1978)

Directed by Ingmar Bergman. Starring Liv Ullman, Ingrid Bergman, Halvar Björk, Lena Nyman, Gunnar Björnstrand.

Emotionally-charged examination of acclaimed pianist and neglectful mother Charlotte (Ingrid Bergman), her subtly damaged but withdrawn daughter Eva (Ullman), and the exposure of suppressed pain during a fateful visit together. Familiar thematic territory for Ingmar Bergman, who puts his characters (and the audience) through the wringer, but this chamber piece is so richly performed by the leads and beautifully shot by Sven Nykvist that it’s pointless to object; its slow-paced and austere finesse eventually gives way to raw outbursts of psychic admission, foreseeably open-ended conclusion on the potential for reconciliation. Björk also does fine work as Eva’s pastor husband. Ingrid’s final feature film.

82/100