Melancholia

Has anybody seen Lars Von Triers' Melancholia yet? It premiered at Cannes, I think Kirsten Dunst got some sort of award for it & the film has been quietly mounting buzz ever since. It's on demand now before it's released into theatres November 11.

I watched it on demand and was pretty impressed. The visuals are stunning, acting is solid (Dunst is the best) and the storyline, while leaving me a little bit let down at the end, was very intriguing and thought-provoking. I think it's worth watching just for the exquisite cinemetography and art design.



Kirsten Dunst plays an intuitive girl with some serious issues - as to what exactly those issues are, you got me. Her problems are never really identified or diagnosed in the film, but that, I suppose allows you to feel out the unknown with her.

Spoiler alert, the film begins with a wildly hypnotic, visually dazzling and musically tense & erotic prologue that is presumably her premonition of the ensuing events. This was easily my favorite part of the movie & I was honestly floored by the visual/emotional impact it had on me. That part in itself is a beautiful piece of cinematic artwork.

The film is shot in and around this breathtaking estate. This photo visually conveys the planet opposite the Moon, Melancholia, that is headed toward Earth.

I have always been a fan of Kirsten - she's had so many great roles over the years (Hello, Interview with the Vampire!) & never shies away from the the more artisitc or indie films. She nails the dark and troubled blonde beauty roles, this being one of them. Her role in Melancholia is vaguely reminiscient of her captivating role in The Virgin Suicides (also an amazing moive)-she projects a surface beauty and airy-ness but seems to be trapped in some sort of inner hell that only she can understand. She does great in these roles and is eternally believable as this hopeless beauty that can't get a handle on her own impulses or conflicts-and sometimes reacts with a frightening indifference, not to mention emotionless sexual promiscuity.

She looks magnificent in extravagent costume (i.e. Marie Antoinette) and this movie is no exception. I think the wedding dress is sublime on her. It's pretty over-the-top ostentatious, but I love love love the details of the veil and frilly shrug along with the hyper-spanx-boa-constrictor bodice sucking in every inch of her waist, but allowing just enough cleave to show. Love the layered cupcake style of the skirt - oh so bourgeois, but what a dress, no?! I for one think a wedding is no time for simplicity.

And now my ode to moody brides sulking in bathtubs! Justine (Kirsten's character) sneaks into the bathtub in the middle of her reception because she can't take all the dancing, fun, love & joy that is being forced on her.

And here's my other favorite sad sack bride in a tub - Allie from the seminal classic, The Notebook. These poor brides...I mean it's just so hard to deal with having such a hot man to marry and such an extravagent spread and many people that love you. Woe is me!

Anyway, here is one last shot from the opening segment-if this doesn't hook you nothing will. What a gorgeous shot, right? It seems to convey a bright and shining light in the midst of something toxic, which reflects the nature of her character in the film...brilliant.