Bleak, befitting a film concerning “God’s Silence”. A pastor’s crisis of faith is at a boiling point. He cannot believe. He cannot save. He cannot love.
There’s real power in a cynical vantage point various characters take in this film. God doesn’t exist. Humanity’s destruction is inevitable. Love is snatched from us and leaves us with pain and grief. It is far easier to believe we are forsaken, than confront our own lack of faith or love. As the film points out directly, Christ felt the same way on the cross.
And yet, Bergman refuses to let hope die. His disbeliever heals herself with prayer. His faithless Pastor chooses to persevere and connect, rather than let the lights go out.
Everyone in this film is tempted with absolute despair. The choice to remain alive. To try and connect and serve - despite feeling forsaken - is its loud and ringing answer to the purported silence of God.
A masterpiece about faith. I can see why it was one of Bergman’s favorites