★ 9 / 10
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[center][img]http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/636/lovingcouples7px.jpg[/img][/center] (DVD) (First Viewing, 1st Zetterling film) It stars Harriet Andersson…
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(DVD) (First Viewing, 1st Zetterling film)
It stars Harriet Andersson, Gunnar Björnstrand, Gunnel Lindblom and Eva Dahlbeck. It's photographed by Sven Nykvist. It's in Swedish. An Ingmar Bergman film, no? Surprisingly, its not. Though certainly indebted to the Swedish master both thematically and stylistically, LOVING COUPLES is the directoral debut of Mai Zetterling, a Swedish actress who gave up a career in Hollywood to pursue her fiercely independent directoral ambitions. Ironically titled, this adaptation of a 3,000 page novel series by Swedish author Agnes von Krusenstjerna (who has been likened to both Proust and D.H. Lawrence) was a perfect vehicle for Zetterling's goals and aspirations as a feminist filmmaker. Carrying its feminist agenda on its sleeve, it boldly takes on such taboo topics as pregnancy, sexual fulfillment, sexual repression, adultery, premarital sex, lesbianism, male homosexuality, bisexuality and pedophilia-- but the films possesses an earnestness and keen sensitivity propelled through Zetterling's focus on the emotional turbulence of the various situations which prevent it from ever falling into mere exploitation.
Zetterling proves to be a surprisingly sophisticated director, and LOVING COUPLES has been compared to CITIZEN KANE at the time of its release. Sven Nykvist's stark black and white cinematography is gorgeous, and the acting is all-around excellent. After seeing this film, I can only say that in my mind, for better or worse. Ingmar Bergman no longer holds a monopoly on Swedish cinema. I'm certainly curious to see more.
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★ 10 / 10
nudity and passionate scenes
christopher-underwood
It's a wonderful film although certainly a rather cynical view of marriage and love, evidently in Sweden in 1914, or maybe somewhere else and a later time. The…
It's a wonderful film although certainly a rather cynical view of marriage and love, evidently in Sweden in 1914, or maybe somewhere else and a later time. The ladies, Alda, Adela and Angela played by Harriet Anderson, Gunnel Lindalom and Gio Petre absolutely splendidly. At the beginning there are the three in the stark hospital and all each expecting a child. There are three rather different stories and we have flashbacks of them so the slow and rather sad beginning really gets going with a lot of fun and sex and surprises all the time. There is nudity and passionate scenes that it is rather surprising for the early 60s and caused a problem in many countries. The cinematography is fantastic by Sven Nykvist like the shots in the woods and with the frolicking and much drinking during the midsummer celebration and also in the fantastic pretend marriage with two gays and the sublime Anderson.
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80%
AUDIENCE
6.7/10
953
