In Swedish. There are different cuts of this movie, and I watched the three hour version. I generally have a strict 100 minute rule with movies, but this one was special and gets a pass. I loved this movie, but didn’t watch it in one go … I watched an hour a night for three nights, more or less.

It’s a stage play, not really a movie, just two people talking (mainly). It’s funny, it’s sad, it’s insightful, it’s maddening. Maybe it’s only enjoyable for people who have been married twenty years? Anyway, it’s a green-go recommended movie. Of course John Farr recommended it too (“long and demanding, but richly rewarding”) and said it is “peak Bergman.”

Four visitors to the Criterion Closet picked it out; you can see who they are here.

Liv Ullman was both beautiful and a great actress.