I saw this film on TV (but in one big chunk as you did). It started at 12:55am and ran until 5ish. I could have recorded it, but I watched it right there in bed and was completely engrossed in it all the way through. Luckily, I was off the next day, so I could sleep in, but I actually dreamt about it that night (or morning, to be more precise). I think that if this had been on in the early evening, I might not have given it my full attention, but I was in exactly the right frame of mind to sit up and pay attention. I think you should see it on your own, when you are feeling calm and relaxed - definitely NOT in a classroom full of students!
I've rarely seen a more powerful film - no special effects, gimmicks, contrived plot twists or anything forced - just real people living real lives, struggling to be together and stay together, making all the sacrifices necessary to do it. That was what made it extraordinary for me, that and the fact that I could identify with every character in the film.
You could, of course, benfit from watching it in series form, I watched Heimat 3 that way, but this film is not all that long really - especially when you think that there are some books which people literally can't bear to put down, reading them in one long sitting, often all day. I sat and ate Vernon God Little in one bite - that's what they mean when they say "unputdownable"!
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MisterWhiplash
16 years ago
how and when in god's name did you get to see it on TV? (unless, of course, you're Swedish)
I liked the theatrical cut alot, and I have it on video, but as with the Fanny & Alexander theatrical cut it just doesn't feel complete until seeing it as it was meant to be seen.
youtube.com/zackandmichael- No small roles, only small actors.
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reduct101
16 years ago
Well, up until a few years ago, Channel 4 in the UK were great for showing all sorts of great foreign films. BBC 2 had a full season of Bergman films too (but not Best Intentions), but neither channel has shown anything interesting in the last 5 years or so. These days, BBC Four and FilmFour are the ones carrying the torch for culture in this part of the world. They even showed Dekalog fairly recently.
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Bellatrice
15 years ago
It also ran in the US.
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Call me Bubbles, everybody does.
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morganseer
13 years ago
I have to admit I felt underwhelmed by this movie. In fact, I forgot I had already watched it once, until I popped it in my player, and even then I didn't remember how the story evolved and ended. I did watch it again, just to remind myself. But god, it's depressing every step of the way. No wonder I forgot it all. I like slow pacing, but this movie was so dark, and the characters so self-destructive, I kept thinking I was watching a film noir.
I'll be giving this one to the library. It's worth watching, just be in a good mood going into it.
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