MELANCHOLIA (15)
D: Lars Von Trier
Zentropa/Canal+ (Meta Louise Foldager & Louise
Vesth)
Denmark/Sweden 2011
136mins
Drama
W: Lars Von Trier
DP: Manuel Alberto Claro
Ed: Molly Malene Stensgaard
Kirsten Dunst (Justine), Charlotte Gainsbourg (Claire),
Alexander Skarsgård (Michael), Kiefer Sutherland (John), John Hurt (Dexter), Stellan Skarsgård (Jack), Charlotte Rampling (Gaby)
The second film of Lars Von Trier's "depression trilogy",
following 2009's Antichrist, which was an incredibly challenging viewing experience.
On her wedding day, a young woman experiences apocalyptic
visions and develops friction between her new husband and her sister as the portentous omens which haunt her appear to be coming true.
There are those who will appreciate Lars Von Trier's
filmmaking style, utilising picturesque cinematography to present a visual poem rather than a story developing through dialogue. Of course, on the other hand, there's just as many who will find
this boring, pretentious twaddle. I've picked which side I sit in.
Another Earth (qv), released the same year, has a similar
theme but is delivered in a much more accessible way.
4/10