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From Amazon.co.uk
Masterpiece or masquerade? Lars von Trier's digicam musical split the critics in two when it debuted at last year's Cannes film festival. There were those who saw it as a cynical shock-opera from a manipulative charlatan, others wept openly at its scenes of raw emotion and heart-rending intensity. There is, however, no in-between. Dancer In The Dark is that rarest of creatures, a film that dares to push viewers to the limits of their feelings.
In her first, and most probably last screen performance (she has foresworn acting after her bruising on-set rows with von Trier), brittle Icelandic chanteuse Björk plays Selma, a Czech immigrant living in a folksy American small town with her young son Gene. Selma is going blind and so will Gene if she does not arrange an important operation for him. To cover the expense, Selma works every hour she can, cheating on her eye tests so she can keep working at the local factory long after her vision has become too unreliable to work safely. She sublets a house from local-cop Bill (David Morse) and his wife, Linda (Cara Seymour). When nearly bankrupt Bill asks Selma for a loan she refuses, but he later returns and steals the money, which she demands back in a furious confrontation. In the ensuing mélee, Bill is fatally shot and Selma is arrested and put on trial. Will justice prevail?
Von Trier's passionate, provocative film runs all our emotional resources dry with suspense, giving us occasional flashes into Selma's gold heart and mind with superb song-and-dance numbers she conjures to banish the nightmare (Björk also wrote the score). At some two-and-a-half hours, it's not for lightweights, but anyone bored with today's smug, "ironic" cinema will relish this as an astonishing assault on the senses and a stark reminder of Von Trier's uncompromising talent. --Damon Wise
Product Description
Selma (Bjork) is a Czech immigrant who works as a machine operator in an American tool factory. Almost blind herself, she struggles to make enough money to pay for the operation which will save her son's eyesight, and has nearly collected the complete sum when the money is stolen from her by the cop (David Morse) who lives next door. Discovering this, Selma goes to appeal to the cop's mercy, but he refuses to listen and pulls a gun on her, an act which will have fatal consequences for the both of them. With songs by Bjork herself and spectacular dance sequences filmed with a mass of digital cameras, Lars von Trier's film is both an ultra-modern take on the film musical and a tear-jerker in the classic tradition.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By jeevinesh
Format:DVD
A movie that sparks polarised opinions. I loved it. There are two hurdles before one should consider this movie.
Firstly, Bjork. This movie is largely about her music, style and speech. Watch a couple of her music videos and if you find yourself detesting any of the above, spare yourself the two hours.
Secondly, this movie is essentially a musical. If this genre doesn't appeal to you, then steer clear.
If you pass the above two criteria, then expect to be transported to the musical world of Bjork, where dreams and reality come together in song. Excellent character portrayal of the Selma you end up loving and the Bill you end up hating.
I last watched this movie three years ago and still remember the impact it had on me.
Reiterating, it is only worth the watch if you are able to tolerate Bjork's eccentrics.
Firstly, Bjork. This movie is largely about her music, style and speech. Watch a couple of her music videos and if you find yourself detesting any of the above, spare yourself the two hours.
Secondly, this movie is essentially a musical. If this genre doesn't appeal to you, then steer clear.
If you pass the above two criteria, then expect to be transported to the musical world of Bjork, where dreams and reality come together in song. Excellent character portrayal of the Selma you end up loving and the Bill you end up hating.
I last watched this movie three years ago and still remember the impact it had on me.
Reiterating, it is only worth the watch if you are able to tolerate Bjork's eccentrics.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film was by far the most emotionally charged I have ever seen. Really shouldn't have watched it on a train in front of shocked and concerned onlookers as I have never cried harder in public. Bjork is cast brilliantly, it is shot and directed with exceptional sensitivity - demonstrating Trier's ability to handle any genre or subject with beautiful cinematic style. Bjork's personality shone through the character of Selma and as heated as the conversations reportedly were between her and Trier, Bjork's musical genius and attention to rhythmic form is present throughout - I genuinely felt closer to her music afterwards. Definitely should be added to everybody's 'must see before you die' list.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Hill Walker
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
dancing and singing in a machine shop! How's that incorporated in a sad tale of human tragedy, I hear you ask? This is one of the most engaging films I've seen. I don't like Bjork in any other context but she's fantastic in this and Catherine Deneuve brings subtle grace to the factory floor.
Wonderful stuff
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bjork's Towering Central Performance
Lars von Trier's 2000 Cannes prize-winning drama Dancer In The Dark is a quite remarkable piece of film-making, in keeping with much of this innovative director's work. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Keith M
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant!
Musicals are not really my cup of tea but the story and performances on this film are so good I didn't even realise I was enjoying a musical (it also doesn't have that many songs). Read more
Published 2 months ago by MRC
3.0 out of 5 stars
Bjork's powerhouse performance.
If you really want a night of some downbeat viewing try 'Dancer in the Dark' with Bjork. It really is a powerful moving and very sad film. Read more
Published 10 months ago by S Tuffnell
5.0 out of 5 stars
A film? A musical? An experience!
As a big fan of Bjork's music and having seen only a small section of this film previously once upon a time in music class, I felt driven to purchase this film in the hopes that it... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Hadley
2.0 out of 5 stars
Unconvincing Czech Immigrant
I Just can't buy the idea that BJork is a Czech immigrant in this movie! She has a sort-of-Cockney accent, for one thing, and doesn't look Czech either. Read more
Published 23 months ago by H. Petre
2.0 out of 5 stars
The art-house equivalent of a trite daytime movie
Bjork's final performance at the end of this film is the only part that I found genuinely honest and moving. Read more
Published on 23 May 2011 by Odelay In Space
1.0 out of 5 stars
No...no....and no......
I love cinema and therefore find it so very strange that this
is one film that I just couldn't watch....I actually left the
movie theatre halfway through...... Read more
is one film that I just couldn't watch....I actually left the
movie theatre halfway through...... Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2011 by Tulipano
5.0 out of 5 stars
BJORK In The Dark !
A fantastic musical form the Iceland icon Bjork,
Amazing is the word and sensitvie to an extent that it makes you cry;
An all time favorite .
Amazing is the word and sensitvie to an extent that it makes you cry;
An all time favorite .
Published on 14 Feb 2011 by Stallion
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing
One of the best films ever just unbelievably sad but amazing! arrived very quickly too!
Published on 12 Oct 2010 by penfold
1.0 out of 5 stars
The worst film I ever sat through
The story was vile, the acting awful, the hand held camerawork worse, the editing was absent. And the "music"!!! Embarrassing. Unspeakable. Read more
Published on 20 April 2010 by G. Robinson
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