Persona (1966)

Director: Ingmar Bergman
Stars: Bibi Andersson, Liv Ullmann, Margaretha Krook
Runtime: 83 minutes

Synopsis: A nurse is put in charge of a mute actress and finds that their personae are melding together.

Performances: 10/10
Screenplay: 10/10
Editing: 9/10
Cinematography: 9/10
Score/Soundtrack: 7/10

Verdict: Reviewing this Bergman classic in only a few lines is an impossible task. The seemingly short 85 minute runtime is only an illusion of the incredibly heavy content it holds that will take you days if not more, as well as more than just the one viewing, to entirely process.

About the relationship between Elisabet, an actress who suddenly stopped talking, and her nurse Alma, the film tackles a number of themes that include duality, motherhood, or one's identity. All of these themes are perfectly captured by both Bergman's incredibly layered screenplay and the two leads' performances, who obviously understood the director's vision and were able to translate it through a showing of emotions emphasized by hand movement and facial expressions. The classic is also a very well shot and edited one, where the technical aspects not only play a role in enhancing the film's aesthetic, but also participate in translating the narrative to the viewer.
Having said all that, I feel like I have to warn any potential viewer that the film is one that requires your undivided attention, as one small detail missed could affect the entire experience, The symbolism used in many scenes will also necessitate some homework afterwards in order to fully understand Bergman's genius.
If you don't mind doing all that, then "Persona" is a must. I gave it a 9 for now, but that grade could drastically change on second viewing for the better.   

FINAL GRADE: 9/10