So the plot of this one (I think) involves a biographer going to the estate of a famous and enigmatic musician, and while there, he fails to meet the musician and clashes with his numerous wives and mistresses. Chaos, slapstick, and farcical shenanigans ensue.
Ingmar Bergman is best known for character-focused films, existential tragedies, and intensely psychological dramas. All These Women is not his only comedy, but he made very few films with notable comedic elements, and while I haven't seen all his films, I doubt there are any others as intentionally silly as this.
The absurd humour and ridiculousness of it all is fun for a while, but it wears out its welcome after 30-40 minutes. And the film's only about 80 minutes long, so for it to run out of steam so quickly is extra disappointing. I don't think it's been the toughest Bergman film to get through, and there's a couple of his philosophy-heavy movies I might even like less in general, but overall I can see why it's considered one of his weakest efforts.
But it's worth it for anyone curious to see Bergman do something that has a similar tone to a Pink Panther movie- it's that silly.
Ingmar Bergman is best known for character-focused films, existential tragedies, and intensely psychological dramas. All These Women is not his only comedy, but he made very few films with notable comedic elements, and while I haven't seen all his films, I doubt there are any others as intentionally silly as this.
The absurd humour and ridiculousness of it all is fun for a while, but it wears out its welcome after 30-40 minutes. And the film's only about 80 minutes long, so for it to run out of steam so quickly is extra disappointing. I don't think it's been the toughest Bergman film to get through, and there's a couple of his philosophy-heavy movies I might even like less in general, but overall I can see why it's considered one of his weakest efforts.
But it's worth it for anyone curious to see Bergman do something that has a similar tone to a Pink Panther movie- it's that silly.