In 1889 Sweden, a 35 year old married soldier (Thommy Berggren) with two children runs off to Denmark with his 21 year old tightrope walking mistress (Pia Degermark). Based on a true story, the film follows the last month of their lives. Directed by Bo Widerberg, the film was a huge arthouse hit in its day. Educated audiences who would have sneered at Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal running around meadows chasing butterflies, somehow swooned when it was done by Degermark and Berggren. Maybe it was the tony Mozart music on the soundtrack to clue the audience that they were watching something "artistic". Modern audiences may not be so gullible. Oh, make no mistake about it. This is a ravishing film with its idyllic forests and picturesque country inns lovingly photographed by Jorgen Persson (
MY LIFE AS A DOG), starving and suicide has never been so glamorous. Bergrren is very good and Degermark looks exquisite though her winning the best actress award at the Cannes film festival is a bit of a puzzler.
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