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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Melancholia Review – Lars Von Trier Kristen Durst


A family wedding is taking place and frail family bonds are exposed. Parent child resentment, personal issues, and depression all begin to weep out through a thin façade of a celebration of marriage.


During this time a giant planet is on a collision course with Earth. Scientists are skeptical it will hit Earth but some are not so sure.


Lars Von Tier directs “Melancholia” Lars Von Trier is no stranger to disturbing films. Anyone who has seen the film “AntiChrist” will know exactly what I mean. He mixes psychological torment with atmospheric visual bravado. Melancholia is no exception.


There really is not much of a plot to this film. Via use of effects, classical music, and troubled characters, Von Tier seems to want to pound his audience’s psyche with visuals, sound, and a depressing story. It works in that you will feel at least a little glum after watching this film. Whether you will like it depends.

In some ways this flick reminds me of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 Space Odyssey. It is operatic, visually stimulating and uses quiet tension throughout the film. If you enjoy dreamy, music filled, art-type films you might enjoy Melancholia. If you prefer a more traditional plot line, you’ll walk away disappointed.


The acting is good. Kirsten Dunst has one of her better roles ever and Kiefer Sutherland and Charlotte Gainsbourg (even if she seems to mimic her role in AntiChrist). The problem is that some ideas in the movie really did not make sense to me. I have no idea, for example, how the couple getting married in the movie could possibly be in love. Watch Melancholia and you’ll see why.


The actions of the characters in the end of the film I found to be a little too convenient and unrealistic.
I was glad I saw the film, but I’m definitely not watching it again.

To learn more about or watch Melancholia, click image below.


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