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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.
ReplyCopy URL^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’.
ReplyCopy URLSpoiler Alert
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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 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.
ReplyCopy URLSo 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?ReplyCopy URLDo Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Philip K Dick Blade Runner
ReplyCopy URLNow 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!
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.
ReplyCopy URLI 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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