Film Review: Melancholia (2011)

"The earth is evil. We don't need to grieve for it."

Melancholia is Lars Von Trier's apocalyptic drama about a woman with severe depression. In part one, we see the wedding of Justine (Kirsten Dunst) to Michael (Alexander Skarsgard). She attempts to maintain a happy facade but really she is overwhelmed by the emptiness she feels. She tries to escape from her new husband and the wedding party as frequently as she can and ultimately ends up rejecting Michael's sexual advances and cheats on him. He leaves her. In part two, we see Justine's depression worsen which sees her looked after by her sister, Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and her husband, John (Keifer Sutherland). We also learn of a rogue planet, Melancholia that threatens to collide with the Earth, ending life.

The film is visually stunning. The opening super slow motion shots of various characters and planetary imagery is stunning, particularly of the horse and Justine in her wedding dress. We see the shots of the planets colliding so that we aren't distracted by not knowing whether the world will actually end. I think this is a fantastic way for us to focus purely on the emotions of the characters which is what really makes the film. The score is also amazing. It seems almost unusual to see a properly scored modern film but the impact of the music adds to the beautiful visuals.

The film is inspired by Von Trier's own experiences with depression. As a sufferer myself I can really relate to Justine. Kirsten Dunst's performance is amazing; one of the most accurate performances of the real effects and actions of a depressed person. It's really one of those films that you need to watch and experience, as mere words just won't have the same impact.

I came across a review which I felt really summed up my viewing experience:
 "For myself, all I could do was tremble. I knew that I loved the film – and that I never wanted to see it again. I still haven’t, but then I don’t need to. Just the memory of it feels like a scar, a scar to remind me of how wonderfully wounding cinema can be."

Amazing film that really hits very close to home for me.

Rating: 9/10

Film Review: Breaking The Waves (1996)

Breaking The Waves is the first in director Lars Von Trier's Golden Hearts trilogy. It's set in the 1970s in a remote part of Scotland and focuses on the childlike Bess (Emily Watson), whom has previously suffered from psychological problems.  She marries Jan (Stellan Skarsgard), a oil rig worker whom doesn't meet the approval of the local church, whom are opposed to people outside of the area with different beliefs. Bess often speaks to God yet also answered back in her 'god voice', often criticising her for being selfish and not thinking of others. When Jan gets sent back to the rigs she prays for his return, only for him to return due to an accident which leaves him paralysed. He convinces her to start sleeping with other men so that they can relive the experience as though it were them. This leads to a break down for Bess' reputation and her psychological problems become much worse once more.

Although on the long side, it's enjoyable and Emily Watson is a pleasure to watch as the unique Bess. I particularly enjoyed her conversations between her and 'God'. She plays the innocence and simple mindedness so well it's hard to imagine her as the intelligent, well spoken woman that she is. Jan and Dodo (Katrin Cartlidge) are also enjoyable characters.

The style of the film is so natural and realistic that it really gives you a sense of being a lot closer to the drama. I love the grainy effect and feel that it really adds more tone to the sadness and struggles of Jan's long term illness. The film as a whole after the wedding chapter is actually hard going and as a viewer I felt that I'd been through the situation myself. Even though the film is essentially a simple love story, it is completely the opposite to Hollywood blockbusters in the sense that there is no happy ending and no upbeat tone. It portrays a far more realistic and lifelike story which is what I love most about the film.

I'd really recommend watching this and will be checking out the other two films in the trilogy myself.

Rating: 9/10

Film Review: Black Death (2010)

Black Death is a film set in the 1340s around the time of the spread of the bubonic plague.The film follows a group of men, lead by Ulric (Sean Bean), trying to track down a village whom are suspected of pagan and occult activity. The men of God recruit a young monk, Osmund (Eddie Redmayne) to guide them to the village. Osmund takes this as a sign from God that he should lead the men so that he can meet up with his secret love, Averill (Kimberley Nixon). They encounter the witch, Langiva (Carice Van Houten) and village leader, Hob (Tim McInnerny) where they become a part of the strange goings on.

Photo Every Day #27

Today I caught Klaus asleep in his litter tray. He'd dragged his paper towels that he uses as bedding into the litter tray, plumped them all up so they were nice and comfy, and went to sleep! I guess this is the rat equivalent of sleeping with a duvet in the bath.

Makeshift Bed:


Song Of The Day: Will.I.Am & Britney Spears - Scream & Shout
Reason: Didn't really think much of this song at first, but now it's really grown on me.

Highlight Of The Day: Seeing the sun and no snow!

Inspiration Of The Day: We started watching the tv drama Appropriate Adult which was on ITV a while back, it's really good. It's the kind of drama that should be on tv all the time.

A Bout De Truffe

Tom Tagholm's A Bout De Truffe is another of my absolute favourite shorts. I first remember being shown it by my lecturer whilst doing my BA degree and it's stuck with me ever since. This French short is about Jean Dubois, a truffle hunter who is down on his luck, until he comes across the daddy of all truffles. It is set in a beautiful delapidated cottage in a woodland (you know how much I love decaying things!) and his pig, Carinne, is gorgeous.

Trios Coleurs: Bleu

This is a really beautiful French film about a woman who loses her daughter and husband in a car accident. She attempts to cut herself off from the previous world which she lived in, moving into a new apartment and cutting ties with people she once knew. Juliette Binoche is a really beautiful woman who I think plays the part well. She is totally believable and charming as Julie.

The film is part of a trilogy of colours, show in several scenes via the juxtaposition of the colours blue; the main colour of this film, white and red. Which are also the colours of the French flag. There are some beautiful uses of colour throughout the film, including the swimming pool scenes in which Julie, the protagonist, is seen swimming in a blue lit pool. The blue of her jewelled lamp shade is also particularly beautiful, especially when her exotic dancer neighbour holds them in her hands, almost giving the illusion that they are huge water droplets.

The use of the orchestral soundtrack makes the film even more romantic. But the lack of music in certain scenes makes the film seem even more realistic and believable, and gives the impression that Julie is detached from the world which she walks through, as though it is going on in the background without her.

The end credits of white text on a blue background also makes a colourful change from the norm.