Dan Schneider on Through A Glass Darkly (original) (raw)

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DVD Review Of_Through A Glass Darkly_

That said, while Bergmaniacs may declare this film, and its trilogy mates, as being sine qua non Bergman, and it may be, that does not deny the fact that this film is also middle of the road Bergman, not as bad as some of his lesser screenplays (Cries And Whispers, The Serpent�s Egg), but nowhere near his greatest works (Wild Strawberries, Shame). The title, which comes from the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:12: �For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known,� bespeaks the melodrama that drenches this film. But, what is most truly known about Through A Glass Darkly is that it represents a phase in an artist�s career and the culture of psychology far better than reality. Yet, given that truth, how many ever choose such realities anyway?

[An expurgated version of this article originally appeared on the Unspoken Cinema website.]

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