The
Best Intentions
(1992/Film Movement Blu-ray)
Picture:
B+ Sound: B Extras: B Film: C
If
you're a fan of the films of Ingmar Bergman, then you won't want to
miss this romantic story about his own two parents that is both
realistic and heartfelt. Directed from a Bergman screenplay by
Billie August, the film features a great cast and an exhaustingly
long running time of 181 minutes, this film is purely for fans of
Bergman or movie audience members that don't mind sitting through
something slow and low (not to say it isn't well done or executed).
Film Movement has done a great job with this release, however, and
even included a rare short film of his entitled Karin's
Face.
The
Best Intentions
(1992) stars Samuel Froler, Pernilla August, and the superb Max von
Sydow who plays August's father in the film about the deep
connections between the characters from so long ago, who turn out to
be Bergman's real-life parents.
The
film begins in the early 1900s, where a poor student named Henrik
(Froler) falls in love with Anna (August), who is the daughter of a
rich family in Uppsala. The two fall in love and Henrik becomes a
priest in Sweden. Unhappy with her new location, Anna longs to go
back to her home in Uppsala, which puts tension on their relationship
and growing family.
Presented
in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and
a lossy, though surprisingly clear Swedish Dolby Digital 2.0 track
(though why no lossless?), the film looks and sounds fantastic on
Blu-ray disc, especially with some of the soft and complex shots it
offers.
Special
Features include...
Ingmar
Bergman's rare and evocative short film, Karin's
Face,
now available for the first time ever to American audiences.
Collector's
Booklet with film essay by cinema expert, Peter Cowie; cast and crew
credits; chapter breaks; stills.
Not
quite up my alley, but a solid film if you are a romantic or fan of
this type of cinema.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
