Törst (Thirst) (Three Strange Loves) (1949)

One of the more interesting entries in Ingmar Bergman's groping-around gestation period.

Despite heavy subject matter this is an ambitious and worthwhile attempt to get under the skin of its characters, full of striking images and played with great power by Henning and Malmsten.

In "Thirst," Rut(Eva Henning), a dancer, loves Raoul(Bengt Eklund). She is heartbroken when he tells her he is married with children. Even worse, is when the Mrs.(Gaby Stenberg) shows up at their apartment unannounced. At least, her next relationship works out better, as she gets married to Bertil(Birger Malmsten), an assistant lecturer. So while they talk about their finances on their honeymoon, she also relives the torment of a botched abortion that has left her sterile. Three years into his directing career, this is more like the Ingmar Bergman we are very familiar with. Sure, a lot of "Thirst" is pure melodrama but there is also a lot of metaphysics included here in this depiction of a radiply changing post-war Sweden. In fact, this seems positively provocative not only for then(what with one character being a lesbian and all) but maybe even a little for today, framed around not condemning Rut for having an abortion and ending with a conversation involving a minister who seeks to reform the notion of marriage, with the chauvinistic Raoul being the villain of the piece. While there is one great scene involving a crowd outside of a train, the editing leaves something to be desired as the scenes involving Viola(Birgit Tengroth), Bertil's ex who might have endocrinitis, no elephantitis, no wait, encephalitis, feel like a different movie entirely. And either all of the characters are from the same social circle or Sweden has a really small population.

"Thirst" is one of Bergman's first films the Director made and is a complex and detailed look into the lives of several troubled and isolated characters. The film utilizes four different narrative structures in which the various characters are within and yet all are connected through their despair and longing for something more. The film captures the characters and their problems, both with one another and with themselves in such an intricate and personal way in which only Bergman could capture. While not quite up with his masterworks you know you are watching a Director more than capable and advancing in the field of cinema at a rapid and yet refined pace!