Rossellini and de Sica’s fingerprints are all over this one. You can tell Bergman was influenced by the gritty, bare-bones style of neo-realism. Stark, mundane, barbed commentary on the blue-collar environment. 

A simple story that follows the emotional experiences of two lovers while exploring some pretty risqué items for 1948. Maternal cruelty, premarital sex, abortion, suicide, etc. The visual language of the storytelling is striking. 

Seen about 5 early Bergman films so far and all of them deal with abortion in some way. I get the feeling this will be a big theme throughout his work. Also, I love how all his characters in these early films are sentimental for the cinema. Watching people watching movies is such a joy.

These are small, understated moments that fit well within the tradition of neo-realism, where the cinema offers respite in the same way booze offers comfort. I like to think Bergman channeled that sympathetic “let’s forget everything and get drunk” moment from BICYCLE THIEVES as a way for his characters to rest from the harsh realities that await them. Dark yet lovely emblem for the cinema as escape.

Bergman Ranked