Fanny and Alexander (1982) - Critical Reviews

Synopsis

It's the early twentieth century Sweden. Adolescent siblings Alexander and Fanny Ekdahl lead a relatively joyous and exuberant life with their well-off extended paternal family, led by the family matriarch, their grandmother, Helena Ekdahl. The openness of the family culture is exemplified by Helena's now deceased husband ending up becoming best friends with one of her lovers, a Jewish puppet maker named Isak Jacobi, and their Uncle Gustav Adolf's open liaison with one of the family maids, Maj, who everyone in the family adores, even Gustav Adolf's wife, Alma. Between the siblings, Alexander in particular has inherited the family's love of storytelling, his parents and his grandmother who are actors and who manage their own theater. Things change for Alexander and Fanny when their father, Oscar, dies shortly after Christmas 1907. Although she truly does believe she loves him, the children's mother, Emilie, decides to marry Bishop Edvard Vergérus, who she first met as the officiate at Oscar's funeral. She also wants a father figure for the children. Going into the marriage, Emilie has inclinations that it will be a much different life than she had with the Ekdahls, but is not prepared for the harsh, austere and strict life Edvard rules with an iron fist. Emilie, Alexander and Fanny end up being prisoners in the bishop's stark and humorless house. As Alexander butts head with his stepfather and tries to learn how to keep to his own principles while obeying Edvard, Emilie tries to figure out a way to regain her and her children's own destiny, as Edvard will not consent to divorce, and her "desertion" in the eyes of the law means that Alexander and Fanny would become his wards.

Critical Acclaim

When Fanny and Alexander debuted in 1982, it was greeted with widespread acclaim from critics who lauded Ingmar Bergman's ambitious storytelling and the film's lavish production design. The film, initially conceived as a television miniseries, was praised for its intricate narrative and rich visual style, marking it as a pinnacle of Bergman's career. Noted for its exploration of family, faith, and the supernatural, it was celebrated as a crowning achievement in international cinema, earning the Best Foreign Language Film award at the Academy Awards.

Vincent Canby of The New York Times described Fanny and Alexander as "a work of a master storyteller," while Roger Ebert called it "a big, exciting, ambitious film." In more recent years, the film has maintained its critical stature, holding an impressive 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Modern critics continue to praise its complex characterizations and the seamless blend of realism and magic. The film's meticulous attention to period detail and its evocative cinematography by Sven Nykvist are frequently highlighted as key elements of its enduring appeal.

The lasting impact of Fanny and Alexander is evident in its continued recognition as a cinematic masterpiece. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film, and is frequently included in lists of the greatest films of all time. The film's influence can be seen in its profound effect on subsequent generations of filmmakers, who cite its narrative depth and visual storytelling as inspirations. Bergman's final theatrical feature remains a testament to his legacy, cementing his status as one of cinema's most important auteurs.