The Life of the Marionettes

The Life of the Marionettes by Ingmar Bergman is a film about the collapse of a human spirit. Peter and Katerina are the main characters who are trapped in a loveless marriage. Peter is the character, who is the most, unhappy. He feels there is “no exit.” In his stating to people that there is “no exit” (throughout the whole film) we see his despair and their negligence.

The psychiatrist knew of Peter’s fantasies to kill his wife. He was aware of Peter’s despair and never did anything to help him. He was only concerned with sleeping with Katerina. When she turned him down then he told her of the danger she was in, but only for manipulative reasons.

Katerina is a condescending, alcoholic, career woman. She constantly makes Peter feel as if he is unimportant in her life. He is miserable with her and she knows this. When he tells her he wants to leave then she cries and begs him to stay for her convenience. She cares nothing for his happiness. This is not an attribute of love.

Peter’s last desperate attempt to find some happiness or meaning in his life is to visit a prostitute. Why? I guess he thinks sexual pleasure is the only thing obtainable to him. He knows he’s acting desperately and tries to leave. Only when his attempt to leave the building where the prostitute (Katerina, also) is fails does he feel there is “no exit” again, blacks out, kills her by strangulation and has sex with her corpse. His spirit has totally collapsed at this moment. He is lost even to himself.