Film worth the effort, despite a slow pace, writes Mark Orton.
Director: Jan Troell
Cast: Jesper Christensen, Pernilla August, Bjorn Granath, Ulla Skoog
Rating: (M)
Three stars out of five
In the glut of World War 2-inspired films, many have focused on enigmatic characters associated with resistance movements.
Following in the rollicking footsteps of Norway's brilliant Max Manus and the Danish cracker Flame and Citron, the Swedish have unearthed a gutsy story of their own, but it's a little unclear after watching The Last Sentence whether the film is more interested in shining a light on Swedish journalist Torgny Segerstedt or having a dig at Sweden's neutrality.
As the editor of a major newspaper, Segerstedt (Jesper Christensen) is a charismatic oddity caught between his duty to his wife Puste (Ulla Skoog) and a burgeoning affair with Maja (Pernilla August), the wife of a friend.
Segerstedt seeks solace in his bitter tirade against the tide of fascism sweeping Germany. Captured evocatively in black and white, enigmatic Swedish film-maker Jan Troell proves that at 81 he has a few frames left in him yet.
Troell structures the film at a positively pedestrian pace, and the first half, where Segerstedt's affair is laid bare while he takes aim at Sweden's politicians is gripping. Most of the drama is confined to the interiors of Segerstedt's Gothenburg base.
It's here that chemistry between Christensen's crusty curmudgeon and August's flirtatious mistress carry the drama. As an insight into the contempt faced by Sweden's Nazi resistance, The Last Sentence is well worth the effort.
Best thing: Pernilla August's performance.
Worst thing: The length. Shaving 30 minutes off would make it a better film.
See it with: Anyone who appreciates Ingmar Bergman.
