Lars Van Trier has been a darling of critics for decades. Since 1967 he has directed 25 full features, and has 37 writing credits, pulling double duty on his own works. I've found his films difficult, challenging, which is good. He creates unconventional fare, which offers a break from the variations of the same ol', same ol' that characterizes cinema and all art. Last night I watched
Melancholia (2011), the story of two sisters, beginning on the wedding day of one who suffers depression. The force of her nature destroys the marriage before the reception ends, just as the emergence of a planet that was hidden behind the sun threatens to wipe out Earth. It is slow-moving and unsettling but riveting. Is it allegory, filled with symbolism? LVT has made public comments about his hatred of capitalism, and some of that is in play here. He does not view it as creative destruction but as outright menace. I disagree, and that has always made me wary of his work. I'm glad I took a chance on this, however. I respect it more than any of his other efforts, even though I'm not sure there is broader meaning to the narrative. Although given to bouts of melancholy, as are many, I am not depressive. This film seems to nail that unfortunate state of mind perfectly. Kudos to Kirsten Dunst, whose performance received several international awards. She is matched by Charlotte Gainsbourgh, as the long-suffering sibling, a loving wife and mom, who views life as precious, the exact opposite in that regard as her afflicted sister, who says: "Life is evil." The supporting cast is, as usual in an LVT film, first rate: Charlotte Rampling as the cynical mother, John Hurt the
bon vivant father, Kiefer Sutherland, Stellan Skarsgard and his son Alexander, the devastated groom, and the always creepy Udo Kier. Manuel Alberto Cairo's cinematography is lush and gorgeous. It drives home the sad fact that a depressive is unmoved by the vast beauty of the world. During the Cannes Film Festival press conference for the film, Lars von Trier, who was awarded the Palme d'Or, responded to a question about the use of Wagner's music by calling himself a Nazi and saying that he sympathized with Hitler. Despite apologizing for his remarks, he was banned from the remainder of the festival and declared a persona non grata by its organizers, a first in the history of the event. He has admitted to having written the script under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Perhaps he is the tortured genius his admirers believe he. The contributor commentary at IMDb is spirited, as one would expect for such a work. I didn't do a count but it seemed just as many people thought it was rubbish or boring as thought it was a classic whose stature would only grow in time. It is always difficult to predict lasting value, but I wouldn't be surprised if this film endures. Here's the comment I found most insightful at IMDb, from someone who dubs himself Traveler: "I see this more now as the story of everyone's life; happiness, promises made, promises broken, despair and joy, friendship and all the bumps of family fellowship, but even more largely it is about faith, faith in science, faith in the self made shelter of the magic cave of religion...and all are helpless, useless in our intimate, ever so sensual and slow dance with ever approaching death. People want a story? It is about everything; and a hard, unflinching message it is..." 109,000+ users have rated it, forging to a consensus of 7.1 of ten. On a scale of five, I rate it four. Sometimes you have to give the devil his due. The film requires patience and a willingness to endure ugliness. Anyone who would rather not ponder the fate all humans face should pass.
The floating book shop was a last minute decision today, and things turned in its favor. I found a parking spot on an icy patch, and the area in front of the Chase bank at Bay Parkway and 85th was virtually clear. I didn't have to shovel out a space as I had twice before. My thanks to Ralph, who bought
Sex, Ecology and Spirituality, a huge tome by Ken Wilber; to the gentleman who asked for Sidney Sheldon and settled for
Lucky 13, a James Patterson co-write with Maxine Paetro; to the woman who bought Danielle Steele's
Zoya; and to a gentleman whose name I don't know, who purchased seven works of non-fiction. For the first time in a while the crates were a lot lighter on my way back to the car.
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Web Site:
http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
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