This review kicks off a day of true quality, as I’ll be reviewing four independent movies (this, A Dangerous Method, Young Adult, and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) only in limited release. So for once I’ll be ahead of the curve in seeing movies before most of America does…but, then again, I doubt most of America will see any of these movies, and that would be a real shame for at least one of them. Anyway, Melancholia…
This is Lars Von Trier’s (who people either love, hate, or have never heard of) apocalyptic tale of one miserable bride’s wedding set against the backdrop of the discovery of a new planet. The new planet is barreling towards Earth and is called Melancholia, as is her condition of being almost catatonic with depression, when not lashing out hatefully at everyone around her.
What Works: Several critics have talked about how great Kristen Dunst is in this movie as the depressed bride who seems to only perk up once the world is about to end, and she’s decent. Just as strong, if not better, is a supporting cast that includes John Hurt, Alexander Skarsgaard from True Blood, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and a very solid Kiefer Sutherland (who seems to be the only character with a level head…so naturally he’s punished ten fold by Von Trier). The movie’s real draw is its absolutely beautiful imagery…I don’t think the end of the world has ever looked this good. Also, Von Trier’s message (that humanity is cruel and deserves to be ended) is a downer, but I give credit to the director for seeming like he really believes it. Unlike the beginning of the movie, there’s nothing phony about the ending.
What Doesn’t Work: People will either love this film or hate it, and like all movies that are that way, I’m completely neutral on it. I’d probably give Melancholia a C+ and it’s because for every strong element, there’s a weak one. The movies looks great, but feels hollow. The early wedding scenes don’t ring true but it rings very true that Von Trier seems downright gleeful at the end of the world towards the end (only he could make a wedding seem more miserable than the end of the world). Dunst is brave to play so unlikable but her character has no real dimensions and after a while it feels like she’s purposefully keeping you locked out, she plays a mood more than a real character.
What I Would Have Done Differently: Oh, I don’t know…maybe given us someone on screen worth missing when the world ended. When wedding scenes feel more miserable than the global death of billions of people, something is askew in the director’s emotional perception.