The Best Intentions

Name: The Best Intentions
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
Released: July 10, 1992
Duration: 180 min
Rating: 77
Cast: Björn Kjellman, Börje Ahlstedt, Ghita Nørby, Keve Hjelm, Lena Endre

1992

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Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

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Movie Details & Credits

The Samuel Goldwyn Company | Release Date: July 10, 1992 | Not Rated

Starring: Björn Kjellman, Börje Ahlstedt, Ghita Nørby, Keve Hjelm, Lena Endre, Lennart Hjulström, Max von Sydow, Mona Malm, Pernilla August, Samuel Fr

Summary: In 1909, poor theology student Henrik falls in love with Anna, the intelligent daughter of a rich family in Uppsala. After marrying Henrik becomes a priest in northern Sweden. Urbane Anna hates living in the county, growing restless.

Director: Bille August

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Romance

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 180 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Owen Gleiberman

The Best Intentions is the most moving film I’ve seen this year. Read full review

Desson Thomson

Realized beautifully by director Bille August, Intentions is a moving, profound requiem to all human relationships. Read full review

Mike Clark

August's direction, as usual, is a tad glacial, but at its frequent best, the film soars to explosive heights. [31 Jul 1992, p.6D]

Ted Mahar

Best Intentions should be engaging for those unfamiliar with Bergman -- and at three hours, it had better be engaging. To Bergman buffs, it is fascinating -- a lively, clever drama of opposites powerfully attracted. [14 Aug 1992, p.17]

Clifford Terry

Charming and gentle and steady-on, it contains few dramatic moments (except for one notable scene involving two children), even fewer surprises, and lacks the judgmental harshness and bite of Bergman's most celebrated creations. [14 Aug 1992, p.B]

David Sterritt

It's all very pretty, but its use of motion-picture possibilities is unimaginative. What lifts The Best Intentions above its visual limitations, and makes it seem impressive, is the extraordinary depth and sincerity of Bergman's screenplay. Read full review

Peter Travers

August keeps a discreet distance from the harsher realities, making The Best Intentions must viewing only if you find diluted Bergman better than no Bergman at all. Read full review

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Trailesque

Jul 5, 2021

This really is a remarkable project. The great Ingmar Bergman wrote this drama, which describes the lives of his parents and other relatives before he came on the scene. However, Bergman did not direct it - that job went to Bille August, another leading Swedish director. I don't know howThis really is a remarkable project. The great Ingmar Bergman wrote this drama, which describes the lives of his parents and other relatives before he came on the scene. However, Bergman did not direct it - that job went to Bille August, another leading Swedish director. I don't know how close to the truth it is, but one imagines that there are some exaggerations. The film successfully presents a society and a family from the early 20th century, as Samuel, a stubborn young minister, and Anna, a girl from a higher social station than her husband, struggle to begin their life together.… Expand

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