A moderate and still early film from Bergman that explores death, marriage and ultimately hope, through another common theme for many of his films, classical music.
Starting off in an uneasy tone, a telephone call brings bad news. From them on we get an insightful drama how the relationship and then marriage of the couple started, hiccuped through career ups and downs, infidelities, children and then reconciliation.
It's well scripted, as usual. But, for me there' too much emphasis on watching orchestras rehearsing, whilst important to the story (the husband is a notable violinist, his wife a member of the same orchestra) to many it would seem like padding. Many of the ups and downs and tribulations they face are not at all unusual, either for Bergman, nor for a relationship drama by anybody else.
Despite its often bleak outlook, To Joy, aptly played by the orchestra at the end, sparks a measure of hope and continuity.
Starting off in an uneasy tone, a telephone call brings bad news. From them on we get an insightful drama how the relationship and then marriage of the couple started, hiccuped through career ups and downs, infidelities, children and then reconciliation.
It's well scripted, as usual. But, for me there' too much emphasis on watching orchestras rehearsing, whilst important to the story (the husband is a notable violinist, his wife a member of the same orchestra) to many it would seem like padding. Many of the ups and downs and tribulations they face are not at all unusual, either for Bergman, nor for a relationship drama by anybody else.
Despite its often bleak outlook, To Joy, aptly played by the orchestra at the end, sparks a measure of hope and continuity.