MELANCHOLIA Thread

[Anonymous Joined: Jan 1st, 1970 Topics: Posts: View Predictions]

#35419

Will be released on October 7th On Demand and November 11th in theaters. A screener version has already shown up online for those who don’t feel like waiting, etc etc.

I thought the film was great. Highly highly recommended. Hoping Dunst isn’t completely forgotten when award season starts because she really deserves the recognition.

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[ScottfergusonParticipant Joined: Sep 26th, 2011 Topics: 119 Posts: 11201 View Predictions]

#35421

Since this has opened up nationwide, I got a chance to see it tonight.

For me, it is von Trier’s best film since the brilliant Breaking the Waves, and along with Poetry the best film to be released in the US I’ve seen this year. Along with its visual poetry, thematic strength and sheer dramatic imagination, it reconfirms von Trier’s status as one of the greatest directors of actresses ever.

That said, I’d be shocked if Dunst or Gainsbourg is nominated – not so much because of the silly controversy, but because this kind of acting is too good (as in original, different, director-oriented) for the actors’ branch. Their performances are an extension of the director, which for me is what great acting is meant to be on film.

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[Tye-GrrMember Joined: Nov 5th, 2010 Topics: 60 Posts: 5876 View Predictions]

#35422

^I forgot to post my review in here, but I posted my initial thoughts in the “What Films Have You Seen Today” thread. I loved it. It’s one of the best films of the year for me, and I thought Dunst, Gainsbourg and Sutherland were all great, but especially Dunst. It’s the best I’ve ever seen her and she takes total command of the screen, even in Gainsbourg’s section. It’s the first film I’ve seen this year that I found myself reflecting on week’s later, this and ‘Drive’. Lars von Trier is at the top of his game with this one, recovering greatly from the grotesque (if still intriguing) ‘Antichrist’. 

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[LKMOSCARMember Joined: May 25th, 2011 Topics: 5 Posts: 584 View Predictions]

#35423

These remarks have me extremely excited (I’m seeing this Nov. 18). As a lover of Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark, Dogville and Antichrist, I’ve considered von Trier one of my top 3 favorite directors alive.

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[blueprintParticipant Joined: Jul 13th, 2011 Topics: 9 Posts: 2058 View Predictions]

#35424

Spoiler Alert
As a sucker for stunningly beautiful lighting and scenery, Melancholia was simply organsmic to me. Aside from the visual orgasm I was utterly impressed by Gainsbourg and even more by Dunst. Not only was this by far her best performance to date, but she also delivered one of the finest performances I’ve ever seen on screen. Her emotional developement was just fascinating to watch. Starting with seemingly genuine happyness and affection for her husband, then being slowly overwhelmed by her depressions up to her total incapibility of doing ordinary tasks and eventual calmness before the catastrophy. Throughout she simply delivers.
I only wish it was pointed out where Justine’s depression initially came from or at least what triggered them.

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[ScottfergusonParticipant Joined: Sep 26th, 2011 Topics: 119 Posts: 11201 View Predictions]

#35425

This merits Oscar nominations on so many levels, but one of them that should be a no-brainer, but remains very unlikely, is cinematography.

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[Tye-GrrMember Joined: Nov 5th, 2010 Topics: 60 Posts: 5876 View Predictions]

#35426

Spoiler Alert
As a sucker for stunningly beautiful lighting and scenery, Melancholia was simply organsmic to me. Aside from the visual orgasm I was utterly impressed by Gainsbourg and even more by Dunst. Not only was this by far her best performance to date, but she also delivered one of the finest performances I’ve ever seen on screen. Her emotional developement was just fascinating to watch. Starting with seemingly genuine happyness and affection for her husband, then being slowly overwhelmed by her depressions up to her total incapibility of doing ordinary tasks and eventual calmness before the catastrophy. Throughout she simply delivers.
I only wish it was pointed out where Justine’s depression initially came from or at least what triggered them.

SPOILER-ISH!!:

It seemed to me that her depression was caused by simply not liking anything within the world she occupied. She seemed to hate her job, her mother and father’s relationship kept her from ever finding love, her sister’s happy marriage and good life was always shoved in her face (especially the way Sutherland kept reminding her that he paid for her entire wedding), and as she states in the latter half, she feels that the Earth is evil as well as it’s inhabitants. Her exact moment of mental break that triggered the depression is never said specifically, but I liked that it was vague. But I think there were plenty of clues to suggest what could’ve been the reason(s). 

END OF SPOILERS!!

I LOVE the cinematography. It’s a gorgeous film, and the lensing always fits the tone and mood of the characters on screen. The whole film looks and feels immaculately made.  

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[babypookParticipant Joined: Nov 4th, 2010 Topics: 108 Posts: 14471 View Predictions]

#35427

So when does Lars von Trier need a reason for one of his protagonists to become overwhelmed with depression?
She’s an extension of his resplendent ego, is she not?
Is she eating or drinking anything? Tap water? Artificial sweeteners?

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[ScottfergusonParticipant Joined: Sep 26th, 2011 Topics: 119 Posts: 11201 View Predictions]

#35428

All great characters are an extension of their authors’ egos. Nothing new there – it’s basic to all narrative art, not something von Trier invented (or would claim to invent).

Robert Heinlein’s characters are every bit as much an extension of his ego, if not more so.

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[Ethel CharlesParticipant Joined: Sep 23rd, 2011 Topics: 5 Posts: 303 View Predictions]

#35429

Now there’s a gal you want to spend quality time with… SPOILER-ISH!!: It seemed to me that her depression was caused by simply not liking anything within the world she occupied. She seemed to hate her job, her mother and father’s relationship kept her from ever finding love, her sister’s happy marriage and good life was always shoved in her face and as she states in the latter half, she feels that the Earth is evil as well as it’s inhabitants. The way she consumated her marriage was rather odd to I thought!

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[Tye-GrrMember Joined: Nov 5th, 2010 Topics: 60 Posts: 5876 View Predictions]

#35430

@Ethel- Indeed it was!! Haha… And definitely not the route I’d I’ve taken… I would’ve never left that bedroom, let me tell you that. 😉

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[Ethel CharlesParticipant Joined: Sep 23rd, 2011 Topics: 5 Posts: 303 View Predictions]

#35431

I too would have willingly volunteered for the job, particularly when the pants came off!

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[blueprintParticipant Joined: Jul 13th, 2011 Topics: 9 Posts: 2058 View Predictions]

#35432

Oh, I can only agree to what you two said. One look at him in his Calvins and he would have had me.

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[RJParticipant Joined: May 28th, 2011 Topics: 1 Posts: 92 View Predictions]

#35433

The opening 8 minutes of this one are truly stunning cinema – I love it when films show me things I’ve never seen before; Noe did it last year with Enter the Void, Malick did it earlier this year with The Tree of Life, and now Von Trier does it with Melancholia. It’s a work that I’m still trying to wrap my head around. Everyone involved is operating at their highest level, and Charlotte Gainsbourg deserves just as many accolades as have been thrown Kirsten Dunst’s way. Part of why their performances work so well is the dynamic that they create in playing opposite one another; Dunst’s literally immobilizing depression takes on an edge of selfishness, while Gainsbourg’s devoted and caring sister descends into limp patheity. I struggle to understand what it all means, and the connection between parts one and two borders on tenuous. But the overall picture is one that is well worth seeing. Nobody makes films like Lars Von Trier does. I already cannot wait to revisit this one.

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[JunkMember Joined: Jul 2nd, 2011 Topics: 4 Posts: 1408 View Predictions]

#35434

I saw this today, didn’t LOVE it, but loved it enough to say this one is unmissable, and one of this year’s best and most remarkable films. I was truly on the edge of my seat the whole time watching this. Loved Dunst performance, she truly lept out of her bounds with this, and should be deserving of a nom. But my greatest pleasure was to see Charlotte Gainsbourg’s performance which I’d put in the same breadth, or if only a little lower than Dunst’s in this film. She was truly spectacular as the devoted sister and mother whose initial calmness turns into an awful desperation which she portrayed so beautifully . She could very well be co-lead with Dunst, but if they start a campaign for her, which they should and frankly I’m surprised I haven’t read much about it, she has a great chance of a nom for Supporting.

My Grade: 7.5/10

MVP: Kirsten Dunst

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