Das Mädchen mit den Hyazinthen

"Girl With Hyacinths" (1950) has been voted as one of the ten best Swedish films of all time, and has been praised by Ingmar Bergman himself. I admit that, up until the final minutes, I thought it was fine but overrated: a melancholic, flashback-laden drama with an intriguing, puzzlelike structure, but theatrical in an old-fashioned manner, giving "the stage" to each of the supporting characters in turn to chew the scenery, which they do. I did like the couple of amateur "detectives" - they had a bit of a Nick-and-Nora thing going on. What really elevates the movie is the ending, when everything comes together and simple words said earlier in the movie acquire a second meaning. Definitely worth sticking around for. *** out of 4.

This production boasts an excellent display of drama characteristic of the time and place. Ulf Palme plays with vigour a writer turn detective and his hunt for answers to his questions not only depicts a perfect setting but also one of the few movies that are bluntly realistic. Not only the joyful aspects of life rather the edgy truth of post-war Sweden.