My Rating:
IMDb Users:
(2011)
Genre: Drama/Sci-Fi
Director: Lars von Trier
Writer: Lars von Trier
Producers: Bettina Brokemper, Rémi Burah, Madeleine Ekman, Tomas Eskilsson, Meta Louise Foldager, Peter Garde, Marianne Jul Hansen, Peter Aalbæk Jensen, Lars Jönsson, Katrine Sahlstrøm, Marianne Slot, Louise Vesth
Synopsis: In this beautiful movie about the end of the world, Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and Michael (Alexander Skarsgård) are celebrating their marriage at a sumptuous party in the home of her sister Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg), and brother-in-law John (Kiefer Sutherland). Despite Claire's best efforts, the wedding is a fiasco, with family tensions mounting and relationships fraying. Meanwhile, a planet called Melancholia is heading directly towards Earth… MELANCHOLIA is a psychological disaster film from director Lars von Trier. (from official Melancholia website)
Cast:
- Kirsten Dunst
- Charlotte Gainsbourg
- Alexander Skarsgård
- Keifer Sutherland
- Stellan Skarsgård
- Charlotte Rampling
- John Hurt
IMDb - Melancholia
jhunterfilmreview: A cinematic highlight for me this year, would definitely have to be Melancholia. A Sci-Fi drama from the peculiar mind of Danish director and screenwriter Lars Von Trier, known for his previous films Dogville and Anti Christ. The film is split up into two parts - each following the story of one of two sisters. The first follows Justine played by Kirsten Dunst (Spider-Man, All Good Things, Marie Antoinette), on the night of her wedding, where she struggles to appear happy and battle her deep depression for the sake of her family, new husband and wedding guests. The second part follows Claire, played by Charlotte Gainsbourg (Anti Christ, 21 Grams, The Science of Sleep), who strains to care after her sister. Meanwhile, a rogue planet called Melancholia seems to be heading straight towards Earth. The rest of the film explores how each character reacts to the impending doom, and how they struggle to maintain composure.
The film is also comprised of a strong supporting cast - Claire's husband, John is played by Kiefer Sutherland (The Lost Boys, Phone Booth, Dark City). Justine's new husband, Michael is played by Alexander Skarsgård (Zoolander, True Blood TV series, Straw Dogs). As well as small parts from Charlotte Rampling (Never Let Me Go, The Duchess, Swimming Pool), Stellan Skarsgård (Good Will Hunting, Thor, Mamma Mia) and John Hurt (V for Vendetta, Alien, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone).
There is a lot that I love about this film, but what especially stood out to me, and i'm sure to most viewers, was the cinematography and acting. The visually stunning camerawork can be credited to cinematographer Manuel Alberto Claro (Reconstruction, Dark Horse, Allegro). At the start of the production, the camera was initially operated by Trier, but as he found the visual style he was aiming for - "a clash between what is romantic and grand and stylised and then some form of reality." - the rest was subsequently left to Claro. Some of my most favourite shots from the film can be seen below. However, you really need to see the shots on a cinema screen to be able to fully appreciate them.
As I mentioned before, the acting was also quite astounding. Particularly Kirsten Dunst - her performance is truly captivating. When her character was depressed, I felt that it really projected onto me as a viewer. Gainsbourg also played her character Claire, superbly. Claire's increasing angst as the approaching planet loomed nearer, caused me to feel just as apprehensive about what was going to happen next, and the fate of these complex characters. Furthermore, Trier's usual directing style has also paid off remarkably. His style consists of no rehearsals, but instead, instructing the actors to do a lot of improvisation, and then providing them with further instructions between takes.
After viewing this film, and conducting a little bit of online research, I was also quite interested to learn that the concept of the two sisters was devised between Trier and actor Penélope Cruz. In addition, she was initially cast to play the lead role, but had to drop out when the filming schedule of another project was changed.
Similar to Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life, I feel Melancholia will also divide audiences. I advise people who don't appreciate film and all it's aspects…or who aren't willing to sit quietly and take everything in…TO STAY AWAY FROM MELANCHOLIA. Obviously it's not for everyone.
I however, thoroughly enjoyed it's beauty, completely original story, and truly talented acting. As a result…
jhunterfilmreview: A cinematic highlight for me this year, would definitely have to be Melancholia. A Sci-Fi drama from the peculiar mind of Danish director and screenwriter Lars Von Trier, known for his previous films Dogville and Anti Christ. The film is split up into two parts - each following the story of one of two sisters. The first follows Justine played by Kirsten Dunst (Spider-Man, All Good Things, Marie Antoinette), on the night of her wedding, where she struggles to appear happy and battle her deep depression for the sake of her family, new husband and wedding guests. The second part follows Claire, played by Charlotte Gainsbourg (Anti Christ, 21 Grams, The Science of Sleep), who strains to care after her sister. Meanwhile, a rogue planet called Melancholia seems to be heading straight towards Earth. The rest of the film explores how each character reacts to the impending doom, and how they struggle to maintain composure.
The film is also comprised of a strong supporting cast - Claire's husband, John is played by Kiefer Sutherland (The Lost Boys, Phone Booth, Dark City). Justine's new husband, Michael is played by Alexander Skarsgård (Zoolander, True Blood TV series, Straw Dogs). As well as small parts from Charlotte Rampling (Never Let Me Go, The Duchess, Swimming Pool), Stellan Skarsgård (Good Will Hunting, Thor, Mamma Mia) and John Hurt (V for Vendetta, Alien, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone).
There is a lot that I love about this film, but what especially stood out to me, and i'm sure to most viewers, was the cinematography and acting. The visually stunning camerawork can be credited to cinematographer Manuel Alberto Claro (Reconstruction, Dark Horse, Allegro). At the start of the production, the camera was initially operated by Trier, but as he found the visual style he was aiming for - "a clash between what is romantic and grand and stylised and then some form of reality." - the rest was subsequently left to Claro. Some of my most favourite shots from the film can be seen below. However, you really need to see the shots on a cinema screen to be able to fully appreciate them.
As I mentioned before, the acting was also quite astounding. Particularly Kirsten Dunst - her performance is truly captivating. When her character was depressed, I felt that it really projected onto me as a viewer. Gainsbourg also played her character Claire, superbly. Claire's increasing angst as the approaching planet loomed nearer, caused me to feel just as apprehensive about what was going to happen next, and the fate of these complex characters. Furthermore, Trier's usual directing style has also paid off remarkably. His style consists of no rehearsals, but instead, instructing the actors to do a lot of improvisation, and then providing them with further instructions between takes.
After viewing this film, and conducting a little bit of online research, I was also quite interested to learn that the concept of the two sisters was devised between Trier and actor Penélope Cruz. In addition, she was initially cast to play the lead role, but had to drop out when the filming schedule of another project was changed.
Similar to Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life, I feel Melancholia will also divide audiences. I advise people who don't appreciate film and all it's aspects…or who aren't willing to sit quietly and take everything in…TO STAY AWAY FROM MELANCHOLIA. Obviously it's not for everyone.
...I give this film 8 stars.
