Fanny & Alexander (1982) Reviews

Fanny & Alexander (1982)
Member Rating:  
Though he made allusions to his own life in all of his films, Fanny and Alexander was the first overtly autobiographical film by Ingmar Bergman. Taking his time throughout (188 minutes to be exact), Bergman recreates several episodes from his youth, using as conduits the fictional Ekdahl family. Alexander, the director's alter ego, is first seen at age 10 at a joyous and informal Christmas gathering of relatives and servants. Fanny is Alexander's sister; both suffer an emotional shakedown when their recently-widowed mother (Ewa Froling) marries a cold and distant minister. Stripped of their creature comforts and relaxed family atmosphere, Fanny and Alexander suddenly find their childhood unendurable. The kids' grandmother (Gunn Wallgren) "kidnaps" Fanny and Alexander for the purpose of showering them with the first kindness and affection that they've had since their father's death. This "purge" of the darker elements of Fanny and Alexander's existence is accomplished at the unintentional (but applaudable) cost of the hated stepfather's life. Ingmar Bergman insisted that Fanny and Alexander, originally a multipart television series pared down to feature-film length, represented his final theatrical film, though within a year after its release he was busy with several additional Swedish TV projects, and his final work, the 2003 Saraband (also produced for Swedish television), eventually received global theatrical distribution. Oscars went to Fanny and Alexander for Best Foreign Film, Best Cinematography (Sven Nykvist), Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction/Set Decoration. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Pernilla Allwin, Bertil Guve, (more)
Director(s):
Ingmar Bergman
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(14 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Dawn K.

I saw this movie many years ago and decided to give it another try. It's a visually beautiful movie. The stark comparison of Bergman's early childhood years growing up with lighthearted, loving family members to the austerity of the home they live in when their mother remarries. You ask yourself, how could this woman choose to live in the confines of a warm and caring family and then marry someone so ice cold and sadistic? I am not sure I understand the psychological symbolism that the austerity represents, however, the contrast is bold and out there. How confusing for Ingmar Bergman and his sister. Did his mother feel she needed to be punished because she felt she couldn't keep her husband alive? What would cause someone to willfully choose such an oppressive environment for herself, and, her two dear children? The ending was the way you'd want to see things thurn out. I enjoyed the movie although it gets off to a really slow start.

Yes   |   No


Thea S.

Accidentally watched this movie ten years ago, and have been looking for it ever since. It's FANTASTIC. Beautiful and strange and amazing. I don't know what Tom and Matthew's problems are. They are clearly intellectual monkeys.

Yes   |   No


Lawrence F.

This is one of the most beautiful movies ever put on the screen. The interior settings in the Ekdahl house and Isaac's house with the puppets are beyond praise. The bishop's house with its spareness and bleakness makes a perfect contrast. The acting is excellent. The movie abounds in memorable scenes. The bishop is an unforgettable and unique monster. The main problem is that I don't beleive the central action. The mother's decision to marry the bishop is unmotivated, and such a marriage would never happen in real life. If you ignore that, the scenes set in the bishop's house generate tremendous power.

Yes   |   No


Carm G.

This is a very long, but deeply satisfying film. The opening scenes of a sumptuous Christmas Eve celebration and the closing scenes of a joyous double christening are among the most vivid and memorable ever put on film. If you're a fan or student of cinematography, art direction and/or set design, this film is a must-see. Although the story centers around the youngesters Fanny and Alexander and how their mother's second marriage takes them from the pampered, yet widely inclusive, theatrical Ekdahl family to the grim, austere confines of the bishop's home, Bergman paints unforgettable portraits of the other major characters. This film is a masterpiece.

Yes   |   No


Ann C.

Without a doubt, my all-time favorite movie. Ingmar Bergman created a masterpiece that is mysterious, fearsome, funny, and affectionate at the same time. You will love it even more if you are familiar with Swedish family life, traditions, and Sweden itself. But Blockbuster has another treat in store: a 5-disk set that includes a more detailed version of "Fanny and Alexander" which Bergman made for Swedish TV. The expanded movie is on 2 disks in this set and can be ordered separately. Take a look!

Yes   |   No


Donald A.

Is someone who considers themselves to be intelligent and a movie lover allowed to criticize classic bergman? There are two types of "great" movies, the ones that are milestones, and the ones that are enjoyable and happen to be great, this is the former for me. God, this represents a monstrous amount of work, i cant conceive of what all went on into this production, in a way it reminds of the kind of logistal trial altman would have faced making gosford park, but while park brings me in, fanny looks like a great birthday cake made out of plastic, i dont want to take a bite.

Yes   |   No


Bryan C.

this movie was good, but i felt sad for the boy. The acting was great. I really recommend this movie.

Yes   |   No


Michele N.

Not my kind of movie. Very slow and long.

Yes   |   No


Matthew J.

I read about this, and it sounded pretty good. When it finally came, I completely forgot what it was. So I watched the trailer on the DVD. This 10 minute trailer was so boring, and pointless, I was not looking forward to the 200 minute movie, subtitled. But I started it up. Traditionally, I will give any movie 30 minutes to build up, but this hunk of crap couldn't even last as long as Brokeback Mountain, maybe 20 minutes. The movie was going nowhere, maybe I was just not in the mood for this type of flick, but I am not disappointed I returned it, and scratched the second DVD from coming.

Yes   |   No


Tom B.

In the discription under language it says "ENG" . NOT!!! Its in Swedish? Lucky I have another movie to watch. Oh thats right I have disc #2 of this same mess. Guess its early to bed for me.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Read all (14)
     
    Dawn K.

    I saw this movie many years ago and decided to give it another try. It's a visually beautiful movie. The stark comparison of Bergman's early childhood years growing up with lighthearted, loving family members to the austerity of the home they live in when their mother remarries. You ask yourself, how could this woman choose to live in the confines of a warm and caring family and then marry someone so ice cold and sadistic? I am not sure I understand the psychological symbolism that the austerity represents, however, the contrast is bold and out there. How confusing for Ingmar Bergman and his sister. Did his mother feel she needed to be punished because she felt she couldn't keep her husband alive? What would cause someone to willfully choose such an oppressive environment for herself, and, her two dear children? The ending was the way you'd want to see things thurn out. I enjoyed the movie although it gets off to a really slow start.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Thea S.

    Accidentally watched this movie ten years ago, and have been looking for it ever since. It's FANTASTIC. Beautiful and strange and amazing. I don't know what Tom and Matthew's problems are. They are clearly intellectual monkeys.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Lawrence F.

    This is one of the most beautiful movies ever put on the screen. The interior settings in the Ekdahl house and Isaac's house with the puppets are beyond praise. The bishop's house with its spareness and bleakness makes a perfect contrast. The acting is excellent. The movie abounds in memorable scenes. The bishop is an unforgettable and unique monster. The main problem is that I don't beleive the central action. The mother's decision to marry the bishop is unmotivated, and such a marriage would never happen in real life. If you ignore that, the scenes set in the bishop's house generate tremendous power.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 14 Reviews
       

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