CARL THEODOR DREYER
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BBB.5.
Denmark, 1964. Palladium Film. Screenplay by Carl Theodor Dreyer, based on the play by Hjalmar Soderberg. Cinematography by Henning Bendtsen. Produced by Jorgen Nielsen. Music by Jorgen Jersild. Production Design by Kai Rasch. Costume Design by Berit Nykjaer, M.G. Rasmussen. Film Editing by Edith Schlussel.
In Carl Theodor Dreyer’s last feature film, a woman reevaluates her life and decides to leave her husband. After years of feeling numb to passion, she abandons him and goes into the arms of her much younger lover, until even that proves unsatisfactory to her as well. Told through lengthy conversations that feature very little camera movement, this probing film will frustrate more casual viewers but is compelling work all the same. Nina Pens Rode‘s lead performance is astounding in its intensity, and Dreyer maintains terrific control all the way. It isn’t rare that a movie watcher is in the specific mood for talky, cerebral viewing, but if by rare chance it does manage to hit you then by all means watch this excellent film.
The Criterion Collection: #127
