About

'The Best Intentions' will not be about from the cradle to the grave – but concerns ten years of my parents' lives. Ten important, decisive years, from 1909 when they met to the early summer of 1918 when this writer lies in his mother's womb and is ready to enter the world. — Ingmar Bergman

The winner of the Palme D'Or at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival, The Best Intentions finds Bergman telling the story of his parents' early relationship through the lens and directorial eye of the Danish filmmaker Bille August.

Although he did not direct The Best Intentions, Bergman's hand weighs heavily on the production. The film focuses on the burgeoning romance and eventual marriage of Henrik and Anna Bergman (only slightly re-named from Ingmar's real parents, Erik and Karin). As with Fanny and Alexander 1982, this was another lavish historical production produced for Swedish television and edited for a theatrical release. August shows deft skill in navigating his own vision around Bergman's words and he never stoops to mere imitation – even with frequent Bergman star Max von Sydow in one of the key roles.

The Best Intentions is a winning study of a changing relationship. It shows empathy, though not unwavering nostalgia, for the societal and familial pressures burdening his parents. Beyond the sheer strength of the film, there is great intrigue inherent in seeing Bergman address his life so directly, despite working through another passionate filmmaker.

M | Medium level sex scenes