Mia Hansen-Løve’s newest film, Bergman Island, stars Vicky Krieps and Tim Roth as filmmakers Chris and Tony who have retreated to the island of Fårö for the summer. They travel to the island, known for being the place where director Ingmar Bergman lived and shot some of his iconic films, with hopes that it will bring them the inspiration needed for their upcoming films.

Bergman Island moves slowly, seamlessly weaving together two storylines that eventually blend together against the backdrop of the beautiful Swedish landscape, highlighted by Denis Lenoir’s cinematography. Both stories told in this film are equally captivating in their own right, due to Mia Hansen-Løve taking her time to properly set the tone before Krieps, as our struggling screenwriter, introduces Mia Wasikowska and Anders Danielsen Lie as the meta-protagonists in her screenplay. The addition of the second storyline by this point could have gone either way, but the two actors deliver such strong performances that it draws the audience in even deeper.

Wasikowska truly steals the show, bringing such raw emotion to Amy’s character, which in turn reveals more about Chris’ psyche. The second story shows us how much can be revealed about an artist through their work, a commentary on Chris’ character perhaps as well as Bergman himself. This film is about art but also relationships, where everyone’s true feelings aren’t always obvious, most being revealed through subtleties that come out in snippets of dialogue and stolen glances that speak volumes to the cast’s talent.

Bergman Island acts like a love letter to auteur Ingmar Bergman, but stands on its own as a film that focuses on the artists’ journey of storytelling itself. And if all of this isn’t enough, we even get to witness Wasikowska dancing to The Winner Takes It All by ABBA.

RATING: 4/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Vicky Krieps, Tim Roth, Mia Wasikowska, Anders Danielsen Lie

DIRECTOR: Mia Hansen-Løve

WRITER: Mia Hansen-Løve

SYNOPSIS: A filmmaking couple retreat to an island for the summer to each write screenplays for their upcoming films.