good music, boring movie

After being told what happens to Marta in the beginning you expect the film to end on a depressing note, but that's not the case. In fact, it's almost triumphant. One of Bergman's best early efforts.

Tempestuously bitter and sulky up to the somewhat remarkable conclusion, where Bergman thrivingly propose hope in all the gloom. Not top notch, not very powerful. But very, very good.

One of Bergman's loveliest. It's surprising to find such fine camerawork this early in his career. This is a wonderful blend of the kind of cynicism and bitterness that would later be seen in films like Scenes from a Marriage, and an optimism and warmth you don't often see in his work. "Ode to Joy" is certainly an easy piece of music to fall back on for an emotional moment, and it does give the ending -- especially with its montage -- a somewhat manipulative feel.

This is such a strange film for Bergman. The musical montages and the bizarre villains are unlike anything in other Bergman movies. But somehow this is my favorite from the "Early Bergman" box.

It lacks the despair of most of Bergman's work; though still a sad movie, it contains an optimism that would be absent from such efforts as Cries and Whispers or Winter Light. It's practically fully-formed with regard to Bergman's filmography, with excellent camerawork and compositions, and an unmatched ability to portray romantic relationships in their ups and downs. The ending montage is a bit forced, but otherwise it's a very strong movie.