Rent Wild Strawberries (1957)

A lovely film - Wild Strawberries review by GC

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this film. It was a gentle pleasure. Striking camera work and lighting and particularly engaging performances by Victor Sjostrom and Ingrid Thulin. Although not an "action" film there is plenty going on and it held my attention throughout.

Simply a classic. - Wild Strawberries review by TE

One of the greatest films by one of the very greatest film directors.

Watching this again after a gap of a couple of decades I was struck by how well it has aged, though the innocent ebullience of the younger characters is definitely from another era.

A wonderful essay on memory, ageing and the human spirit.

Moving and graceful; existentialism at its best. - Wild Strawberries review by CP Customer

I loved this film, from the beautiful imagery to the haunting tale of an old man reliving past rights and wrongs whilst, assessing his existence and impending death.

The people he meets on the way tie into his dreams, memories and beliefs but also add a new perspective to his fixed views of the past leading to the present.

I watched it first with little knowledge or understanding of Bergman's own life, then, having read the 'Bergman on Wild Strawberries' excerpt in the extra features, watched again with a new perspective. The links to Bergman's own life are strong and powerful, the distant relationship with his mother, the similarities between son and father; the perceived lack of warmth or empathy toward of from other people in Isak's life drive steer his story.

Victor Sjöström as Isak is touching and likable despite his back story of selfishness and coldness. Somehow Sjöström brings a desolation to the role which, without being spelled out, displays his fragility and remorse with a depth it is difficult to explain. The way Isak links to, and learns from, his passengers is beautiful; Equally, the way in which they represent his past and challenge the present is resounding and yet, he also brings to it personal feeling, making one question if Victor Sjöström knew he would be dead within 2 years of the film's release.

This is a film which can be watched from a distance I suppose, perhaps. However, I think one would miss out on a warm tale of perceptions and memories and how they shape and dictate one's perspective if left unquestioned or unchallenged.