“A Matter of life and death” – sometimes old is pure movie-magic

Seriously, have you ever watched a film from decades ago and then blinked twice, wondering if they really made this beauty back then? David Niven is soooo damn classy in this Powell & Pressburger-flick (by the way, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger – what bloody geniuses, they definitely knew their stuff!). There’s a distinct charm here, like sipping a perfect bryggkaffe at Konditori Valand on a rainy Stockholm afternoon… familiar yet surprisingly fresh.

Quick real-life flashback for ya: first time I saw this movie was 1983, at Stockholms Filmfestival. I remember because the cinema seats were bloody uncomfortable and I got popcorn kernels stuck badly between my teeth. And still, within the first 10 minutes – BOOM – Niven’s character, this WWII pilot, declaring his love over radio to Kim Hunter’s June, knowing he’s minutes from doom– it totally floored me. I could practically taste the cigarette smoke, feel the static on the headphones.

And how about those visuals! Heaven rendered in pristine black-and-white against the technicolor warmth of Earth. Like watching Bergman, fast forwarded 30 years earlier with less existential angst. Powerful stuff, my friends.

But alright, let’s be honest. Some heavenly courtroom scenes drag, they go on a bit like a Bergman film session in Filmhuset – and maybe the whole afterlife trial deali-o with Roger Livesey gets a tad bit preachy. Still, you can’t help but love the artistry and imagination here. It’s way ahead of its time, kinda trippy even for today’s standards.

So yeah, imperfections and all – there’s a heartfelt sincerity mixed with cleverness and cinematic bravado here. Gets me nostalgic each viewing. Get your semla, fika up some kaffe, put your feet up and give this gem another whirl. It really deserves it.

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