Year: 1948
Accolades: One of 1001 Films You Must See Before You Die
Review on Letterboxd: 'Spring in a Small Town' review by Avalanche
This film is very difficult to describe, but it is an absolutely beautiful experience. The characters in this film all go through many, often subtle experiences. When the visitor calls, we are unsure about the relationship he has with the members of this household, and everything is revealed slowly but at the right time for the story.
We learn how everyone truly feels about everyone else through the way everyone behaves during what would otherwise be ordinary moments as much as we do through the dialogue. The wife of the ill husband also provides the occasional voiceover which just adds to the weight of everything everyone has to deal with. There is a lot of inner turmoil in these characters, and it is expertly portrayed and sustained during the constant desire right from the beginning for everyone to remain honourable and not do wrong upon anyone else.
That's what makes the film so remarkable. Through the dialogue and the wife's melancholy-ridden voice-overs, it quickly becomes apparent that there is no physical antagonist in this film, nor is there going to be. The conflict comes from the past these characters share and never had the chance to resolve at the time. Further conflict comes from the paradoxical nature that it would be logical for at least one character to leave, but it would also be beneficial for everyone of they stayed.
That a film can achieve so much, in such a way that seems effortless and minimalistic, says a great deal about what a magnificent film it is. It's a difficult film to discuss because of it's underlying subtleties and complexity, but it's definitely a film worth recommending.
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