EVERLASTING MOMENTS is a meticulously told tale of the struggles of Maria Larrson (Maria Heiskanen), set in Sweden in the early 20th century.  She benefits from the discovery and use of the newly invented camera which aids in her survival during harsh times.

The story is a humanistic and personal one.  It tells of hardship, poverty and individual perseverance in a changing political climate.  Director Jan Troell shows the climate through the wars fought by her husband Sigge (Mikael Persbrandt).  As typical in many Swedish period epics, religion, guilt and family loyalty are major factors influencing the actions of the characters of the story.

Troell’s film is a tad lengthy at slightly over two hours.  But the film grows on the audience as certain events (like the husband serving his jail sentence) requires real time to unfold for effect.  The best moment of the film is Maria taking the hand of her husband she has just sprung out of jail (for abusing her) back home in full view of the neighbours and friends.  This is true love.  The greatest feel good moment is the pay-off that eventually rewards the unlikely couple. Though one will definitely question why she still loves someone who constantly mistreats her and her children and womanizes, Troell never gives the real reason, though there are sufficient hints during the film to explain why.

One wonders at the reason Troell takes to tell the story from the daughter’s point of view as the film often feels as if it were Maria’s.  Perhaps, it is to give a non-subjective view of Maria’s life story.

Troell has made films at the height of the fame of the Ingmar Bergman films.  His earlier works like THE NEW LAND, THE EMIGRANTS and lesser successes ZANDY’S BRIDE and HURRICANE are still remembered by seasoned moviegoers.  The topic of emigration (to America) is brought up a few times by the characters.  As is his style, EVERLASTING MOMENTS has stunning cinematography, a soft yellowish pale colour and a Scandinavian look through the props, wardrobe and sets.  It occasionally feels like a Bergman film because of the Swedish spoken.  The film is in Swedish and Finnish as Maria is a Finnish housewife.

EVERLASTING MOMENTS is a gentle tale of hardship told primarily from the point of view of young Maya of her mother’s life.  Every major director with vast filmography of works has one movie about the camera or making of a movie.  Truffaut had LA NUIT AMERICAINE and Fellini 8 ½.  EVERLASTING MOMENTS, the title obviously referring to memories that can be captured on celluloid is Troell’s.

EVERLASTING MOMENTS is Sweden’s entry for Best Foreign Film for last year’s Academy Awards.  Highly Recommended!