Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Best of Black Sheep: MELANCHOLIA


Written and Directed by Lars von Trier
Starring Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Keifer Sutherland and Alexander Skarsgard


Justine: The Earth is evil. We don’t need to grieve for it. Nobody will miss it.

Leave it to one of the world’s most infamously melancholic directors, Lars von Trier, to open a film with Earth as we know it coming to an abrupt demise. Dead birds drop from the sky, roots come out from the ground and people sink into the dirt beneath their feet. As disturbing and dark as this grandiose overture is, it is also incredibly beautiful to behold and thus defines the paradox that is Lars von Trier. He gives us nothing but sadness but sees everything, on film anyway, for all its incredible magnificence.


MELANCHOLIA, which von Trier also wrote, tells the story of how a planet of the same name crashes into Earth and destroys mankind. It then rewinds a little to take a closer look at two sisters in the days leading up to the end of the world. First, we get to know Justine (Kirsten Dunst). It is her wedding day, which we all know should be the happiest of her life, but happiness is a constant struggle for Justine. As it becomes clear to her that the end is coming, she becomes less interested in pretending she is in good sorts. Her sister, Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg), lives a good life with her rich husband (Keifer Sutherland) and passes her time by fussing over details. She is the rock of her family and likely just as depressed as her sister, but incapable of letting that show. As they band together to brave the end, they do great justice to the many faces of misery.


Von Trier, who has dealt with depression for most of his life, not only explores the harsh lows of the disease in MELANCHOLIA, but also its lighter side and, more importantly, its futility. Is fighting against the inevitable the best course of action? Or is it better to just give in to your despair and give up all hope for happiness? Von Trier does not pretend to put forth an answer because there is no one answer that matters. The world will end and every single emotion or thought we’ve ever had will cease to exist. Von Trier seems to understand that this is not damnation but rather liberation - that only when we accept that life is meaningless can we truly be free to create the life we want. That’s pretty optimistic coming from a world renowned downer.

6 comments:

Candice Frederick said...

interesting. i need to see this.

Dan O. said...

Dunst was very good in this role but her character was just a little mopey for my liking. However, von Trier keeps his artistic vision in-tact and although there are moments of boredom, it still all comes together so well in the last 40 minutes. Great review.

Jessica said...

It's a very spot on review. I find it a little hard to write about that movie for some reason, but I think you nail it. Dunst was really fantastic. So many great scenes, like the one with the bathtub. Very convincing. And very un-sexy, which is quite an achievement considering that we're watching a naked beautiful woman...

The end is also magnificent. Probably the film scene I've seen this year that will stay longest in my mind. It's burned into my brain.

Unknown said...

I absolutely loved this movie, it's my film of the year (so far etc. but I can't see anything in the release schedule that might overtake it).

Oddly enough, the man himself seems unhappy with it, comparing it to 'double cream'; for me it's the best of all his films. I'll be posting my own review very soon.

Anonymous said...

Will definately be watching this film based on this informative, succinct review.

Black Sheep said...

Thanks so much to everyone for all their compliments. I was truly moved by this film. Such an incredible film experience ... one I must have again on the big screen before it disappears. I'm not ordinarily such a huge Von Trier fan but this one is just magnificent. A definite Top 10 selection for me .. likely even Top 5!