Product: Persona (1967)
Rating: 5.0
Persona, unmatched in film history...
Persona brings two very different characters, Alma (Bibi Andersson) and Elisabeth (Liv Ullman), to the screen. Alma is a nurse who has been designated to personally care for Elisabeth, who has had a "breakdown" after performing as Electra which was written by Sophocles. Elisabeth has decided to remain silent forever, and Alma is attempting to nurse her back to speech. The use of Electra adds a subtle touch by Bergman which can help the understanding of Liv Ullman's character in the film, since the whole film is an artistic event as it displays the convergence of Alma and Elisabeth. As the two women come together Bergman maximizes the situations and atmospheres by balancing contrasts, which enhances the emotional experience in the film. In addition, Persona offers a cinematic experience with contrasts as the story is compassionate and callous, which appears through the magical touch of Bergman's direction. The film presents several personal interpretations as well as several common interpretations as great art is known to do. Therefore, Bergman puts forward a brilliant cinematic experience which is unmatched in film history.