Scenes From a Marriage (Scener ur ett aktenskap) (1973)
Adult themes, sexual references, low level sex scenes
An intimate exploration of a disintegrating marriage, this powerful drama features faultless performances from two of Ingmar Bergman's greatest acting collaborators - Liv Ullmann and Erland Josephson. When Marianne discovers that her husband, Johann, is involved with a younger woman (Bibi Andersson) she re-evaluates her life and the importance of her marriage.
Time passes, their relationship changes and the couple divorce. Then - several years later - they have an illicit affair during which they talk with frankness and understanding about their feelings for one another. Capturing the trauma of a beleagured marriage in painful close-up, this exhaustive study of doubt, despair and confusion is brought to life by the superb photography of Bergman's frequent cinematographer, Sven Nykvist.
| Status: | Unavailable |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 167mins |
| Origin: | SWEDEN |
| Aspect Ratio: |
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Member Reviews (9)
9 Member
Reviews
Nicholas W.
says
This would be fairly catastrophic to watch if you're having relationship troubles. I read that after this was first aired on Swedish TV, divorce rates and the number of couples in counselling doubled. The film doesn't necessarily promote separation, but it does challenge you to think about how happy you are. Flawless acting as usual from Liv Ullmanm and Erland Josephson.
John N.
says
Johan,a professor, and Marianne, a lawyer, are interviewed by a newspaper columnist as being a very happy couple after 10 years of married life. The professor is almost egotistical in describing his success and marital happiness; Marianne more guarded in her answers. But it is not long before Johan tells Marianne that he has fallen in love with another woman and that he has to leave her that very day. She can't believe what she is hearing as she is still very much in love with him. She learns much later that he has been seeing his girlfriend for quite sometime and, what really shocks her, their friends knew about it and never told her. Johan turns up regularly at the marital home to see their two children. They embrace amicably, she with rather more ardour than he, as she is still in love with him. Their meetings become less regular and somewhat clandestine as Johan hasn't told his partner. The movie traces these meetings over the 10 years following their separation at which they talk, reminisce, argue and on occasion even come to blows. They are both living separate lives with their partners but are not able to cut the bonds that bind them. A daunting and emotional tour-de-force that has the camera only on them for most of the movie. From very early on, no other characters appear. Liv Ullmann mesmerizing as the woman in love and never quite out of love, and Erland Josephson always the rational man, but struggling to make sense of life. Bergman at his most brilliant.
Piya A.
says
Too long.
Sasha A.
says
worth seeeing, great acting
Helene C.
says
Exploring the ups and downs of human relationships in depth is a specialty of Ingmar Bergman. The acting is also superb.Great viewing!
Helen J.
says
Helen J.
says
Jan R.
says
filmasart
says
An excellent film of the gender differences about love. Our behaviours have not changed with misguided expectations within relationships and LOVE. We loved this wonderful insightful- fly on the wall - film.