The more she cares for him, the crueler he becomes. Eventually he abandons her, but regrets it. Years later he discovers she has killed herself. I had mixed feelings about Anthony’s role. I hated him for what he did to the girl, but felt sorry for him. I had to get past the mask of cruelty, and look deeper into his soul. He wanted to be loved, but due to circumstances in his life, which is left to our imagination, he became a monster who in the end is somewhat redeemed by the girl’s death.
“Wild Strawberries” is a curious film. An old professor (Victor Seastrom) is to receive an honorary award at his university. His daughter-in-law (Bibi Andersson) who is having problems with her husband, is driving him to the University. They take a detour to the professor’s old family home where old memories and fantasies haunt him. I was absorbed by the plot, which deals with the man’s aging and reflection on his life. When we are old it will be the good memories that will keep us young. It’s easy to make all the wrong choices when we are young; it is when we are old that we have much regret. When it’s too late.
On Tuesday 9/26 at 8:00 PM EST TCM is premiering Juan Antonio Bardem’s, “Death of A Cyclist.” It’s a psychological thriller and it really sounds like a real “gem.”
