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: The Hunger Games (2012)

"Welcome, and happy Hunger Games"

The Hunger Games is set in a dystopic world in the nation of Panem. The country is split into 12 districts, where people live in poverty and the capitol where the people live  a life of modern luxury. Every year the Hunger Games are held, partially to entertain the Capitol but also to punish the districts for past rebellions, and a male and female from each of the districts is chosen at random to compete to the death until there is only one left standing. When Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields) is chosen her older sister Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers in her place. She is joined by Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) who has also been selected.

I was skeptical about this film at first as I'd read an interview with the author of the books stating that she hadn't ripped off the concept of Battle Royale. I still strongly disagree that she'd never heard of the Battle Royale films and think that this is basically those films for the Twilight generation.

However, I did enjoy the film. The concept of the future society is fantastic and the costumes and locations, especially those in the Capitol are amazingly creative and modern. The characters of Katniss and Peeta are likeable and played well. I found both characters to be quite realistic for such a big film. However, I didn't like the fact that we barely found out the names of the other tributes, let alone and information about the other districts or their stories. I assume there is more detail in the book or more information is to follow in the next films. Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) and Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) are also worth a mention and hopefully will be present in the next films.

Overall, I did like the film and it was a lot better than I expected. However, I did feel that it was a poor man's Battle Royale that caters more to a Westernised audience. I would recommend watching it and will be watching the rest of the trilogy as and when.

Rating: 8/10

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: The Cement Garden (1993)

"Girls can wear jeans and cut their hair short, wear shirts and boots, because it's OK to be a boy, but for a boy to look like a girl is degrading, because you think that being a girl is degrading. But secretly you'd love to know what it's like, wouldn't you? What it feels like for a girl?" 

The Cement Garden is based on the book of the same name by Ian McEwan. The film, directed by Andrew Birkin, focuses on the disintegration of a family after the sudden death of their father. Shortly after his death, their mother becomes seriously ill, eventually leading to her passing. The oldest children, Jack (Andrew Robertson) and Julie (Charlotte Gainsbourg) decide to hide the body so that they can have free run of the house, preventing them from being taken into care. After a time with no adult guidance the children's behaviour changes dramatically, including incest, cross dressing and withdrawal. 

I really enjoyed the film. It was a slow and steady film that allows you to get to know the main characters well. The build up is great; it's intense and captivating. Even though Jack and Julie are siblings, you bizarrely want them to get together; it's like they were almost meant to be together. 

The location is really fitting to the new found freedom of the children. The house is semi-isolated and the landscape gives a baron feel. The casting is very believable and they all play their roles very well considering the ages of the actors.

The film is really worth watching and I was captivated throughout. 

Rating: 8/10

Film Review: Closed For The Season (2010)

 

I recorded this film as I love anything set in abandoned places. Closed For The Season is about a girl, Kristy (Aimee Brooks) who wakes up in a local theme park which she spent time in as a child. She is haunted by past memories as she tries to find her lost teddy and a way out. She is aided by James (Damien Maffei) who's parents were the caretakers. The film is directed by Jay Woelfel.

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.