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Trailer

The Best Intentions

1992Movie3 h 2 min

DramaRomance
77
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.7Metacritic776.6Rotten Tomatoes81%88%

A moving, romantic drama movie about history and a real life story, with standout characters.

Good for date night · friends night · teens

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Not for laughs or scares.

Movies with

Story

In this film about Ingmar Bergman's parents, Henrik Bergman is studying for the priesthood and trying to make ends meet when he encounters the lovely, affluent Anna. Despite their social differences, Henrik and Anna fall in love, wed and move to the country. They lead a quiet life as Henrik works as a priest, but it isn't long before the simple people and plain surroundings make Anna long for a more lavish lifestyle, which causes marital stress.

Feels like

  • Ingmar Bergman's Parents
  • Historical Romance
  • Marriage
  • Class Differences
  • Marital Stress
  • Character-Driven
  • Swedish Cinema
  • Intimate Drama

Cast

24 of 38

Crew

Directed by
Bille August
Written by
Ingmar Bergman
Produced by
Ingrid Dahlberg
Music by
Stefan Nilsson, Björn Linnman

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

May 24, 1992 · 3 h 2 min · Sexual Content

Released
May 24, 1992
Runtime
3 h 2 min
Content
Sexual Content
Genres
Drama, Romance
Original language
Swedish
Made in
Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom
Available in
11 countries

Tropes

Dramatically Missing the Point, Ate His Gun, Kubrick Stare +9

  • Dramatically Missing the Point
  • Ate His Gun
  • Kubrick Stare
  • Uptown Girl
  • Historical Domain Character
  • Troubling Unchildlike Behaviour
  • Forgiveness
  • Creepy Child
  • Honor Before Reason
  • A Storm Is Coming
  • May–December Romance
  • Hollywood Atheist

12 of 28 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream The Best Intentions?"

Questions about The Best Intentions

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Best Intentions?

In the United States, you can rent or buy The Best Intentions from FlixFling. It streams in 8 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is The Best Intentions worth watching?

77
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 77 (IMDb 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes 81%, and Metacritic 77).

Is The Best Intentions good for date night?

and 2 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing Safe

Yes: romance is 7 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Is The Best Intentions plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

Is The Best Intentions in English?

Swedish

No, it was made in Swedish.

What tropes does The Best Intentions use?

Dramatically Missing the PointAte His GunKubrick StareUptown GirlHistorical Domain CharacterTroubling Unchildlike BehaviourForgivenessCreepy ChildHonor Before ReasonA Storm Is ComingMay–December RomanceHollywood Atheistand 16 more

TV Tropes lists 28 tropes for it, including Dramatically Missing the Point, Ate His Gun, and Kubrick Stare.