Word: widerberg
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
ADALEN '31. Director Bo Widerberg (Elvira Madigan) paints a poignant portrait of people caught in the flux of history and conveys the ineffable quality of a single decisive moment in a man's life...
...ineffable, invaluable quality of a single moment in the life of man, when a casual encounter or a supper at twilight is enclosed and enriched by the imminence of violent tragedy. Such scenes are framed in the shimmering light of a Swedish summer and seem idyllic, almost unworldly; but Widerberg handles the chaotic confrontation scene between workers and army troopers with a precise sense of brutality that proves that he is not entirely a romantic. The very gentleness and simplicity of much of the visual imagery-the names of Renoir and Monet are constantly and rightly invoked in the dialogue...
Indoors, however, it is another matter. The yellow afternoon light filtering in through the windows creates a perfect effect. Widerberg seems more interested when he gets inside. The scene in the first hotel room is shot with a huge lens, making an unusual and effective flattening out--with Elvira, Sparre, the lamp, and the bed all in the same plane. The restaurant sequence, with Miss Degermark's face glowing gold from the slanting sunlight, is another fine piece of work...
Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 is played throughout the film. Appropriate, yes. But after a while, it gets boring. The film's real music is in the language. Swedish sounds lyrical and Widerberg uses it well, especially in the exchange between Sparre and Elvira as Sixten holds the pistol to her head, ready to shoot...
...does, but not in an embrace. She is running for butterflies in the field again. The gun goes off. Widerberg freeezs the frame. Elvira has caught the butterfly...