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From: welsch@houxu.UUCP (Larry Welsch)
Newsgroups: net.movies
Subject: Fanny and Alexander
Message-ID: <325@houxu.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 25-Feb-84 10:32:35 EST
Article-I.D.: houxu.325
Posted: Sat Feb 25 10:32:35 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 26-Feb-84 00:56:33 EST
Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 30

(To the eater of first lines)

I saw Fanny and Alexander last night. The film is in my don't miss
category. The film is long and there is not a whole lot of plot, yet it
is so rich in photography, imagery, mysticism, contrasts and life,  all
beautifully directed that one wonders how Bergman packed it into 3
hours.  

The film, while focussed on Alexander, is about the Eckland family,
whose oppulent, though loving lifestyle borders on the decadent.  For
example we have Uncle Carl, who shows the children some "fire works" by
dropping his pants, running up and down the stairs to get some gas, and
then blowing the lowdest farts that he can.  The kids love it.  

The oppulence is contrasted against the starkness of the Bishop, who
believes love can be demanded, that truth may be gotten by beating, and
that deprivation is holy.  And then we have Ishmael, who must be kept
locked up, because he flows through all of us and though loved, must be kept
under control lest he loose a pandora's box from within.

The photography is beautiful.  Bergman captures the joy of life.  Yet it
is the simples joys; an old woman with her old lover who will never marry,
yet enjoy each other's company;  the amours of a middle aged satyr, whose
wife loves him including his cocksmanship despite his wandering lusts.
She even loves and cares for his mistress, who receives a Christmas box.

If you enjoy film, then see Fanny and Alexander.

				Larry Welsch
				houxu!welsch