While it is true that Swedish films were far more permissive in the 1940s, how frank this film is might surprise you--especially as it's quite a bit more so than director Bergman's later films.
The film begins with Gösta returning from several years at sea. He's tired of the life and settles into the life of a dockworker. Very soon after, he meets a young lady (Berit) at a dance hall and they sleep together that same night. Berit worries that it's just a one night stand but Gösta does return later. However, Berit also worries that he won't stick around when he learns her past--she's been to reform school and is a mess. When she finally tells him, he doesn't know what to do. To make it worse, soon she brings a dying friend to his apartment--and she's sure there's no way he'll stick around now. Is there any hope for this couple?
Aside from premarital sex, the film also deals with family dysfunction and a botched illegal abortion--all in a very non-judgmental manner. I am pretty sure it caused a bit of a stir in its day. I admired it because in just about every way the film tried very hard to deal with reality and avoid clichés. And, to avoid clichés, the film ends with many, many questions unanswered--just like in real life. It was all handled so well that I can't help but admire the film and feel it's actually a lot better than much of Ingmar Bergman's later more celebrated work, as it's simpler and less focused on depression (like many of his 1960s-70s films). Well worth seeing.
The film begins with Gösta returning from several years at sea. He's tired of the life and settles into the life of a dockworker. Very soon after, he meets a young lady (Berit) at a dance hall and they sleep together that same night. Berit worries that it's just a one night stand but Gösta does return later. However, Berit also worries that he won't stick around when he learns her past--she's been to reform school and is a mess. When she finally tells him, he doesn't know what to do. To make it worse, soon she brings a dying friend to his apartment--and she's sure there's no way he'll stick around now. Is there any hope for this couple?
Aside from premarital sex, the film also deals with family dysfunction and a botched illegal abortion--all in a very non-judgmental manner. I am pretty sure it caused a bit of a stir in its day. I admired it because in just about every way the film tried very hard to deal with reality and avoid clichés. And, to avoid clichés, the film ends with many, many questions unanswered--just like in real life. It was all handled so well that I can't help but admire the film and feel it's actually a lot better than much of Ingmar Bergman's later more celebrated work, as it's simpler and less focused on depression (like many of his 1960s-70s films). Well worth seeing.