Mr. Arkadin wrote:
Not to be nitpicky, but Harriet Andersson is the dying sister in Cries and Whispers. Still a great actress and awesome film! She's also wonderful in Summer with Monika and Sawdust and Tinsel (both 1953), if I could tack a few on to your great list.
Oops. You are not nitpicky at all, it’s “my bad” (as the kids today, say). I was thinking of Thulin’s performance in
The Silence (yet another great Bergman), but the heartbreaking screams I alluded to were definitely those of Andesson in
Cries and Whispers. Thanks for straightening that out. (I love Andresson in
Sawdust and Tinsel but have not yet seen
Summer with Monika--one of the few Bergman’s I haven’t seen.)
I’m glad to find another fan of Bergman, he’s certainly one of my favorite filmmakers. I don’t think he’s given nearly enough credit for the amazing performances he got from his casts. One could go on about Liv Ullman, for instance. Her silent role in
Persona is fascinating (I love the repeated 10-minute, or so, monologue by Bibi, especially when the camera is focused on Liv).
Shame, Anna, and
Autumn Sonata (I know a lot of people don’t like this one, but it’s pretty great, too.)
While I’m at it, Gunn Wållgren gives an absolutely stellar performance as the matriarch in
Fanny and Alexander. As this is the only film I’ve seen her in (I think), I did not think to include her on my list. But, as with ChiO’s brilliant point about Maria Falconetti’s only performance being in
Passion of Jean of Arc, I’d like to submit them
both to my list. (Putting me way over 25, MissGoddess. Sorry.)
"Let's be independent together." Dr. Hermey DDS