Watch A Woman's Face

A Woman's Face is a 1938 thriller film directed by Gustaf Molander and starring the legendary Swedish actress, Ingrid Bergman. The movie tells the story of Anna Holm (Bergman), a disfigured woman who leads a criminal enterprise in Stockholm where she blackmails people. At the beginning of the movie, Anna is hired by a wealthy lawyer, Gustaf Dahlbeck (Tore Svennberg), to seduce and ruin a young architect, Vera Segert (Doris Svedlund). Gustaf's intentions are to prevent Vera from marrying his nephew. However, as the story progresses, Anna has a change of heart when she gets to know Vera and falls in love with Torsten (Anders Henrikson), a doctor and a friend of the Segert family.

At the outset, the story of A Woman's Face is intriguing, and the characters are well-defined. Ingrid Bergman's portrayal of Anna is exceptional, as she gives a nuanced performance of a woman who is hardened by years of isolation and heartbreak. She is constantly reminded of her disfigured face, and her self-esteem is low, making her an easy target to be manipulated. Bergman's acting is remarkable, as she captures the character's motivations, mannerisms, and emotions convincingly. Even when she is scheming, the audience is still drawn to her, and the complexity of the character is demonstrated brilliantly by the actress.

The rest of the cast is impressive as well, with Tore Svennberg playing Gustaf Dahlbeck, Anna's employer, with restraint and subtlety. Anders Henrikson, as Dr. Torsten, is charming and considerate in his portrayal, providing a nice contrast to the cold-hearted and calculating Anna. Doris Svedlund, a relative unknown in comparison, holds her own as Vera in some beautifully nuanced scenes, particularly in her interactions with Anna.

The film's themes of love, redemption, and self-acceptance are handled thoughtfully in A Woman's Face. It shows how Anna's traumatic history led her to a life of crime, and how love can lead her back to the light. The scene where Torsten sees Anna's face for the first time is particularly poignant, as it shows how true love accepts imperfections and finds beauty in the most unexpected places. The movie is a reminder that true beauty is, indeed, skin deep.

The film's cinematography is excellent, with the use of light, shadow, and camera angles creating a mood of suspense and tension. The music adds to the atmosphere effectively, with its ominous and swelling score that evokes the impending sense of danger that Anna has to deal with.

A Woman's Face is an enjoyable movie that defies genre conventions. On the surface, it may seem like a straightforward thriller, but it has elements of romance, drama, and even social commentary. The story unfolds at a steady pace, and the suspense is maintained throughout. Though made over eighty years ago, the movie still resonates with viewers because of its timeless themes and the powerhouse performance from Ingrid Bergman. It is no wonder that A Woman's Face is considered one of her best works.

In conclusion, A Woman's Face is a movie that is worth revisiting, especially for fans of Ingrid Bergman. It showcases her talent as an actress and demonstrates her versatility in delivering a complex character. The story is gripping and the themes it explores are still relevant even today. Overall, the movie is a testament to the power of great storytelling and excellent acting.