Scenes from a Marriage

This substance requires absolutely precise and flawless acting. Jessica Chastain is perfect, I cheered when I found out she was starring in the new version of Bergman's classic. With Oscar Isaac, I wasn't so sure, on the other hand they are well-matched thanks to A Most Violent Year. I was wrong about him, he also gave a convincing performance. I recommend watching it without any hesitation or sign of fatigue, it is necessary to focus very intensively on a series built on dialogues. (27/01/2022)

A unique achievement. A minimalist, evocative, authentic probe into the heart of a toxic relationship, the distorted emotions and warped personal values of the two leads. Scenes from a Marriage is not only notable for its naturalistically staged emotional scenes and impassioned dialogue, but above all for the fact that it tactfully and subtly takes neither side of the protagonists. Both of them are naked (sometimes literally) in front of the camera, fully displaying their emotional fragility and anger, tears and laughter, love and hate. From a third-person perspective, disarmingly rewarding and true to life. Sometimes it's extremely difficult to "just let go" and Hagai Levi's miniseries tells that story as exquisitely as few. Emotional hell to the sound of monotonous music and static shots of the snowy front yard. Piece of art. (26/05/2022)

A completely equal rival to Bergman's original. It cleverly quotes and simultaneously updates the emotional dynamics of the couple, problematizing male and female roles and tossing around motivations and key quotes. The result is a completely new, more relevant view of marriage for today. Leaving used to be too difficult, now it's too easy. The constellation changes, the dark house in the middle of the night remains. Chastain and Isaac are an absolutely riveting pair. Levi has created a sultry microcosm, brimming with meanings and valences that you can talk about as long as you like. Yet you will always end up talking about yourself. Very Bergman-esque. (28/11/2021)