Skammen  

English title: Shame

Genre: relationship and war drama (in black and white)

With: Liv Ullmann (Eva), Max von Sydow (Jan Rosenberg, her husband), Gunnar Björnstrand (Jacobi), Sigge Fürst (Filip), Hans Alfredson (Fredrik Lobelius)

Director: Ingmar Bergman

Screenplay: Ingmar Bergman

Release: 1968

Studio: Cinematograph AB, Svensk Filmindustri (SF)

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.4/10

On the Fierceness of Wars, Whether Collective or Private  

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Story-line: Scandinavia, the 1960s. Eva and Jan, former musicians who have settled down on an island to farm and live in peace, are subjected to increasing pressure when civil war on the mainland threatens to spill over into their part of the world.

Pluses: superior performances by Liv Ullmann (a fiery Eva), Max von Sydow (a quieter, mostly fragile Jan) and Gunnar Björnstrand, expert direction from a master helmer, a realistic, chilling and somewhat apocalyptic screenplay about civilians dealing with armed conflict, Sven Nykvist's usually excellent camera work, adequate production values and an intriguing ending.

Minuses: none really but, this being a Bergman, you should expect very serious and slightly depressing fare.

Comments: although it broaches typical Bergman themes (personality issues, communication problems, marital woes and death), SKAMMEN takes place in a surprisingly different context that exacerbates the fickle relationship between Eva and Jan – who had fallen into a familiar routine – and pushes them toward uncharted territory. This Bergman also shuns symbolism to focus on basic survival issues. As for the titular shame, you will feel it yourselves when you see how war compromises all characters involved, even those who never wanted to get their hands dirty. What a mess…



In tribute to Max von Sydow (1929-2020)





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What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Genre: psychological horror movie (in black and white, appropriately enough)

With: Bette Davis (‟Baby Jane” Hudson), Joan Crawford (her sister Blanche), Victor Buono (Edwin Flagg), Maidie Norman (Elvira Stitt), Marjorie Bennett (Dehlia, Edwin’s mother), Anna Lee (Mrs. Bates, the neighbour)

Director: Robert Aldrich

Screenplay: Lukas Heller (based on Henry Farrell’s novel)

Release: 1962

Studio: Associates and Aldrich

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.4/10





She Was Cute Back Then. She Ain’t Cute No More.





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Story-line: the relationship between Blanche Hudson, a Hollywood actress, and her sister Jane, a former child star, takes a tragic turn when a car accident confines Blanche to a wheelchair and casts Jane as her caregiver.

Pluses: pitch-perfect performances by Bette Davis (in a nasty, showy role) and Joan Crawford, smart support from Victor Buono and cast, a spellbinding and tightly-wound screenplay, implacable direction, Frank De Vol’s hyperactive and highly effective musical score, impressive production values (Jane’s makeup, the Hudsons’ fortress-like house) and a stupefying ending.

Minuses: although rich in protein, Jane’s cooking may not cater to all tastes.    

Comments: WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? is an unsettling film that all movie buffs should see at least once in their lifetime. Pay close attention to the accident scene at around the 15-minute mark and to the car interior especially. Whatever you think of that pivotal scene, there’s one thing we will all agree on: Baby Jane Hudson will forever be one of the silver screen’s most celebrated kooks, along with SUNSET BOULEVARD’s Norma Desmond.





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