71
Metascore
18 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 90The New York TimesGlenn KennyThe New York TimesGlenn KennyEnthusing over an effect Bergman used in his great 1983 “Fanny and Alexander,” the director Olivier Assayas concludes, “Art defines truth.” Just about every minute of this movie shows how that’s true.
- 80VarietyOwen GleibermanVarietyOwen GleibermanIt’s an investigation in the form of a highly personalized meditation.
- 80Screen DailyAllan HunterScreen DailyAllan HunterMargarethe Von Trotta’s many personal connections to Ingmar Bergman lend a fresh, distinctive flavour to Searching For Ingmar Bergman. The documentary explores and champions Bergman’s artistic legacy but also captures a very human portrait of a complex man.
- 80Rolling StoneDavid FearRolling StoneDavid Fear(The verb in the title is not superfluous. If this movie resembles anything, it’s "Citizen Kane" — structure-wise, if not remotely aesthetically.)
- 75The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Barry HertzThe Globe and Mail (Toronto)Barry HertzAlthough Von Trotta skips around Bergman’s filmography a bit haphazardly, and touches upon his romantic proclivities in a frustratingly brief manner, there’s little room to go wrong when a film is seemingly 50 per cent composed of Bergman’s own footage.
- 70Film Journal InternationalStephen WhittyFilm Journal InternationalStephen WhittyIn the end, perhaps, von Trotta’s search for Bergman never quite finds him. But did he ever quite find himself? All he knew was that he was an artist.
- 63Slant MagazinePat BrownSlant MagazinePat BrownMargarethe von Trotta's documentary reminds us of the reasons for Bergman's continued influence on cinema today.
- 63RogerEbert.comSheila O'MalleyRogerEbert.comSheila O'MalleyAn engaging and accessible look at one of the most important figures in cinema.
- 60The Hollywood ReporterTodd McCarthyThe Hollywood ReporterTodd McCarthyReasonably engaging as far as it goes, Searching for Ingmar Bergman evinces great appreciation for the writer-director's legacy and offers the testimonies of numerous eminent enthusiasts, but it leaves a good deal to be desired.
- 58The A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloThe A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloUltimately, the search here isn’t so much for Bergman as it is for a thesis and conclusion. Those who know nothing about the subject will learn a little. Those who know a lot will learn very little.