Wayne Wilentz’s review published on Letterboxd:
Laser sharp focus by all involved on the self-deception, hypocrisy, confusion and ambivalence that a failed marriage contains. Many successful marriages also have these negative qualities, but contain patience, compassion and respect to make up for them. Johan and Marianne definitely love each other, and they definitely hate each other.
The series is, to me, a necessary watch, because you need that scene with Marianne and her Mother to understand the plight of a wife prior to the ‘70’s. When women became a part of the work force, and liberation began ramping up, they started to inspect their roles in marriage. Marianne’s mother was willing to live with a loveless marriage, because she really had no choice. Divorce was not typical for that generation. Her monologue about how she feels no more lonely as a widow than she did when her husband was alive is a shocker.
The second scene in the first episode, with Bibi Andersson just killing it as the bitchy, miserable wife in a fractured marriage is brilliant. Johan and Marianne are acting like “That will never be us”, when everyone watching knows they are headed down that path.
The other great standout is in episode 4, the divorce papers signing that descends into violence. Liv Ullman comes in so very happy, and Erland Josephson is miserable. They are both so incredibly convincing as they get drunk on cognac, flirt, argue and bring out the worst in each other.
I heard Bergman say that he was pleased that after this series aired, the divorce rate in Denmark skyrocketed. Yes, you are a master, Ingmar, but kind of an asshole, too.
I am in year 38 of my marriage, and lemme tell ya- this shit is HARD!
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