At least he has on me. This is the second film of his I've seen, and I definitely want to see more.
This one is nothing at all like his acknowledged masterpiece "The Girl with Hyacinths," a psychological mystery with a twist ending. The current film, shot during WWII, is a romantic comedy with philosophical trimmings which suddenly morphs into a thriller and then just as quickly turns back again with an amusing denouement.
Ekman seems to have been influenced greatly by American cinema. There is a scene in this film which seems to have been lifted straight out of Buster Keaton's last silent "Spite Marriage." The director's performance as a quirky disabled youth bears the imprint of Lon Chaney in "The Shock."
The acting is excellent, with Alf Kjellin and Eva Henning (the director's wife) appealing as the young lovers. (Both Henning and Ekman, who usually appear as blonds, sport dark hair in this film.)Good characters, good plot, good direction...the only thing I thought less than perfect was the cinematography, which was slightly darker than Conrad Hall. Of course the wartime conditions may have influenced the budget. But I'm nitpicking.
This film is worth seeing. I'm looking forward to "The Banquet," next up on my Ekman viewing list.
This one is nothing at all like his acknowledged masterpiece "The Girl with Hyacinths," a psychological mystery with a twist ending. The current film, shot during WWII, is a romantic comedy with philosophical trimmings which suddenly morphs into a thriller and then just as quickly turns back again with an amusing denouement.
Ekman seems to have been influenced greatly by American cinema. There is a scene in this film which seems to have been lifted straight out of Buster Keaton's last silent "Spite Marriage." The director's performance as a quirky disabled youth bears the imprint of Lon Chaney in "The Shock."
The acting is excellent, with Alf Kjellin and Eva Henning (the director's wife) appealing as the young lovers. (Both Henning and Ekman, who usually appear as blonds, sport dark hair in this film.)Good characters, good plot, good direction...the only thing I thought less than perfect was the cinematography, which was slightly darker than Conrad Hall. Of course the wartime conditions may have influenced the budget. But I'm nitpicking.
This film is worth seeing. I'm looking forward to "The Banquet," next up on my Ekman viewing list.