Ingmar Bergmanis one of the most respected names in cinema, which comes with a price.
They seemed pretentious and humorless, about suffering and existentialism.
So its understandable if the body of work is approached with some hesitation.
Seriously, jokes plural.
Our review of Criterions Blu-ray ofFanny and Alexanderfollows after the jump.
There we meet the family.
While rehearsing Hamlet, Oscar suffers a heart attack and goes down in front of his son and wife.
He comes home and passes away shortly thereafter.
Alexander is strong willed and Edvards tough love ways dont work well on him.
Bergman was conscious of the fact that he was saying this was his last film.
Though Bergman showers the Ekdahls in warm lights, but its Malmsjos performance as the priest thats the standout.
His actions are never without reason, and that creates a great tension in the material.
Those that embrace their unconscious desires may have a little heart trouble, but are relatively happy.
Criterions Blu-ray release is a three disc affair with two versions of the movie.
The second disc also features a commentary byPeter Cowieand the films theatrical trailer.
A Bergman Tapestry (39 min.)
Then theres Ingmar Bergman Says Goodbye to Film (59 min.
), which gets Bergman in 1984 to talk about his decision.
The disc concludes with three still galleries.
