Melancholia
Iconoclastic Danish director Lars von Trier follows up his controversial Antichrist with this sci-fi disaster drama, starring Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Kiefer Sutherland.
A disaster film, of sorts, Melancholia tells the story of two sisters coming to terms with the imminent death of the planet as a large foreign body takes up a collision course. Justine (Dunst) becomes melancholic and calm when Earth is threatened, meanwhile Claire (Gainsbourg) fears for her life.
Von Trier considers his previous films to have happy endings, and promises ominously that this will be the first with an unhappy one.
- Director:
- Lars von Trier ('Antichrist', 'Dogville', 'Dancer in the Dark', 'Breaking the Waves')
- Writer:
- Lars von Trier
- Cast:
- Kirsten DunstCharlotte GainsbourgKiefer SutherlandCharlotte RamplingJohn HurtAlexander SkarsgårdStellan SkarsgårdBrady CorbetUdo Kier
Reviews & comments
Total Film
pressBeginning and ending with a bang, but with too much whimpering in between, Melancholia is low-key Lars.
Little White Lies
pressMelancholia is incredibly eerie, and is lent an exciting frisson by the authenticity of an actress and filmmaker with first-hand experiences of psychological trauma.
Hollywood Reporter
pressThis contemplation of the planet’s demise predictably provides not an ounce of comfort or redemption, nor does it offer characters or ideas with which to meaningfully engage, just ample opportunity to wallow in some rapturous images, glorious music and a foul mood.
A.V. Club
pressThough it lacks the titanic emotion of von Trier’s best films, Melancholia makes it up in stomach-churning dread as the planet inches ever closer to Earth.
Lars von Trier's contradictory manner is strangely compelling; he has made some fine films over his long career. Not being what you would call a "commercial" film maker, the masses have unfortunately missed some of his crowning highlights. Though, with the digital age and the growing accessibility of the international film markets his works are now...
Total Film
pressBeginning and ending with a bang, but with too much whimpering in between, Melancholia is low-key Lars.
Little White Lies
pressMelancholia is incredibly eerie, and is lent an exciting frisson by the authenticity of an actress and filmmaker with first-hand experiences of psychological trauma.
Hollywood Reporter
pressThis contemplation of the planet’s demise predictably provides not an ounce of comfort or redemption, nor does it offer characters or ideas with which to meaningfully engage, just ample opportunity to wallow in some rapturous images, glorious music and a foul mood.
A.V. Club
pressThough it lacks the titanic emotion of von Trier’s best films, Melancholia makes it up in stomach-churning dread as the planet inches ever closer to Earth.
Lars von Trier's contradictory manner is strangely compelling; he has made some fine films over his long career. Not being what you would call a "commercial" film maker, the masses have unfortunately missed some of his crowning highlights. Though, with the digital age and the growing accessibility of the international film markets his works are now...
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