The Last Sentence

The Last Sentence, released in 2012, is a riveting biopic from Sweden focusing on the life and times of renowned journalist, Torgny Segerstedt, masterfully played by Jesper Christensen. The film, directed by Jan Troell, takes its audience back to Sweden during World War II and uses the backdrop of momentous historical events to tell an engaging personal and political story.

Jesper Christensen, who previously starred in international blockbusters such as James Bond movies Quantum of Solace and Casino Royale, takes on the challenging role of Torgny Segerstedt with commendable subtlety and depth. He provides an insightful portrayal of the fiery, fearless journalist who devoted an enormous part of his professional and personal life defying continuous threats and opposition to work against Hitler's tyrannical regime.

The film explores the complex persona of Segerstedt, as a man of principles and his role as Editor-in-Chief for the Göteborgs Handels- och Sjöfarts-Tidning newspaper when he bravely launches an offensive stance against Hitler and the Nazis despite Sweden's discernible attempts to maintain neutrality in the war. His powerful and incisively penned editorials played a significant role in shaping public sentiment against Hitler's autocracy and instigating the Swedish King Gustav's wrath.

On the other end of the spectrum, Pernilla August, renowned for her evocative performance in films like Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and Fanny & Alexander, plays the iron-willed Maja Forssman, opposite Segerstedt. Their illicit yet passionate relationship adds a refreshing aspect of love and human vulnerability to the hard-faced political themes that dominate the movie. Amidst Segerstedt's relentless campaign against fascism, the movie never neglects the weight of this poignant romance, showing us the intricate human element behind Segerstedt's robust public figure.

Adding more depth to the human drama is Ulla Skoog, playing the role of Segerstedt's wife, Puste. Skoog delivers a heart-touching portrayal of a woman trapped in a loveless marriage who has to contend with her husband's open affair, creating a complex emotional terrain within the film landscape.

Visually, The Last Sentence presents a beautiful yet somber portrayal of a Sweden stoically enduring the war's ravages with muted tones of blacks, whites, and grays, creating an effective feeling of a world under the relentless sweep of autocracy. It weaves together the domestic and international tensions into a powerful tableau of human and political drama, leaving a deep impact on the audience.

Director Jan Troell, who previously helmed acclaimed films such as The Emigrants and Everlasting Moments, imbues this historical drama with intense sensitivity and near-documentarian attention to detail. The film genuinely reflects the contradictions of the time it portrays – a country battling to maintain its serene neutrality in the face of creeping dictatorship, and a man who must grapple with his feelings alongside his uncompromising stance against fascism.

In many ways, The Last Sentence is a strong cinematic tribute to a man who dared to speak his mind in times of deep-seated fear and uncertainty. It presents us with Torgny Segerstedt, the fearless rebel, the indomitable journalist, the man engaged in a passionate extramarital affair, and the uncompromising critic of fascism. However, it does so without losing sight of his being innately human with all the accompanying frailties – a balance masterfully struck by Christensen's performance.

Finally, what makes The Last Sentence stand out is its determination to bring forth the complexities not just of its characters but also of the historical period it archives. Here is a film that does not shy away from exploring the ambiguities and contradictions that shape both people and times. It leaves its audience not only with a greater understanding of a fascinating historical figure and a crucial era in Sweden's history but also many thought-provoking insights regarding individual courage, moral strength, and intellectual power.

The Last Sentence is not just a historical drama or a biopic, it is a profound exploration of personal trials and political tribulations, making it a truly worthwhile cinematic experience. The moving performances, astute storytelling, and stunning cinematography collaboratively bring to life Segerstedt's fascinating story that continues to be relevant even in the contemporary era.