Covers a wide variety of moods, from joyful nostalgia to devastating desolation to spiritual eeriness. It's impeccable. I've got to admit I feel guilty that my score is actually only a 93, but it's great that a Bergman that isn't a firm favourite can still be a fantastic film for me.
slow, slow start, but about midway through the movie it picks up and does some great things. it's really not as good as everyone says, but it is a fairly decent movie--actually about two notches above decent. the fascinating dive into fantasy at the end is really what makes this movie good, if it were all as good as the last half hour then i would agree with the unanimous rave reviews.
Television version: Considering how much a 2 hour film tends to bore me, I hope I can convey that this review is quite a statement for me. Not only is Fanny and Alexander, at 312 minutes, a masterpiece of film, but, in my unfortunately limited experience, I would call it one of, if not the, greatest film of all time. I actually wish this film was even longer, or better yet, that it would never end. This is the only film that has ever made me feel this way. Score is not a grade.
I accidentally saw the short version... will probably write a review (and probably raise my score) when I get around to seeing the full version. Reminds me of Barry Lyndon.
I consider Bergman a cinema god; Fanny and Alexander only reaffirms my belief as he seems to have discovered what inspires him most about this medium, and perfected it in this piece. Bergman somehow breaks life down into its essentials, with the help of stirring photography and powerful performances.I watched the 5 hour version, and I suggest devoting yourself completely to it. It's so worthwhile.
There's much to enjoy about this film, but it's over three hours long, and after the two-hour mark I began to grow weary of it. I know this is a totally blasphemous opinion, but the picture -- and individual scenes therein -- just go on... and on... and on... and on...
After first watching the shorter version I can clearly see what was missing there. Now after seeing the long version I saw the whole dimension of this masterpiece. This is just fantastic. The acting, cinematography, set design and especially Berman's directing fit just so perfectly that of all his brilliant works, this is his magnum opus.
This is a film that can change a man. I wish Fanny and Alexander got all the screen time. The Ekdhan family is nice and all, but I find the children's lives more interesting.
Rating is for the theatrical cut, looking forward to the tv series. I thought parts of it were oddly paced and I'm eager to see how much the extra 2 hours will restructure the movie.
Bergman shows a deep humanity and understanding here with deeply drawn, finely nuanced, entertaining characters who feel so real - how can these possibly be actors? He is interested as much in the little things as the big and throughout the film tackles everything from youth to old age, celebrating to mourning, subserviance to power, religion to athiesm. An outstanding film that captures the imagination of youth to mysterious and captivating effect.
Funny and moving, grandiose and intimate, spiritual and human. As harsh as any of Bergman's previous work yet the most completely fucking lovely thing he's ever done. He takes every theme he's worked with in his career and re-tackles them with as much passion as he's ever had. Like Synecdoche crossed with Yi Yi crossed with something that has ghosts in it.