This is what a classic masterpiece should be. In Wild Strawberries a doctor/professor emeritus takes a road trip to receive an award. The trip takes him, and his daughter-in-law, along a route that lets him review his past. Through dreams, Ingmar Bergman lets us view the events that made this man what he is today. Along the way he meets people that spark more introspective wanderings. Why is he such a cold-hearted man who keeps his distance from everyone, and yet some regard him as a life-saving saint?

Bergman tells an interesting tale, and tells it well. Events from one part of the movie reflect and reinforce events elswhere. Even mirroring a young lady from his youth with a young woman on the road helps make this a powerful story.

I’ll give this one a 10 out of 10.