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Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and Michael (Alexander Skarsgård) are celebrating their marriage at a sumptuous party in the home of her sister (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and brother-in-law (Kiefer Sutherland). Meanwhile, the planet, Melancholia, is heading towards Earth... MELANCHOLIA is a psychological disaster movie from director Lars von Trier.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By M. Mabberley
Format:DVD
I feel sorry for two groups of people: those who have seen this film and don't appreciate it and those who have never seen it. Personally, I think this is one of the best films of the last few years and my favourite Lars von Trier film, nudging Dogville Dogville [DVD]into second place.
The film is beautiful to watch, intelligent, thought-provoking and a true original. I will probably wear out my copy soon as I can watch it over and over; there's always something new to discover and wonder at.
Unlike any other film you'll ever see and a paradigm shift from the director's other work.
If you don't appreciate it, perhaps you weren't the intended audience.
The film is beautiful to watch, intelligent, thought-provoking and a true original. I will probably wear out my copy soon as I can watch it over and over; there's always something new to discover and wonder at.
Unlike any other film you'll ever see and a paradigm shift from the director's other work.
If you don't appreciate it, perhaps you weren't the intended audience.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
At the end of it all, despite all best endeavors the silent forces of the universe will eventually roll on in and trundle over all beliefs, creeds, races, life forms and dreams. Therefore, as the film highlights, what do we do in between?
For the people in the film they have invented a surrogate world, the secret cave, which has allowed them to hide away from the over arching reality. All external threats are drowned as the beginning highlights, it is swamped within costs, sex, money shows, advertising tack, social clambering and other conspicuous forms of consumption to impress the neighbours.
Meanwhile a world outside rages around, external to this collective hallucination, based upon more primal elements. Within the film we see two sisters, the first Justine lapses into complete nihilism a surrender into the nothingness of the universe and becomes inert.
Then we see her sister, the second part of the film who tries to pull her out of her malaise through infusing an aesthetic beauty into her. Her husband the man of science tries to appear rational and aloof.
Within the film the issue of nihilism arises consistently as an overarching paralysis, raising all types of questions for those who remain and exist. These are finally answered by a huge surge of melancholia at the end.
This is not a film in the usual sense of being led into a world of escapism where there are subsequent Prozac/Citalopram style happy ending resolutions. This film is just the opposite of the American fayre, it aims to unsettle and distort your perceptions not glaze them with cheap adrenaline rushes.
For the people in the film they have invented a surrogate world, the secret cave, which has allowed them to hide away from the over arching reality. All external threats are drowned as the beginning highlights, it is swamped within costs, sex, money shows, advertising tack, social clambering and other conspicuous forms of consumption to impress the neighbours.
Meanwhile a world outside rages around, external to this collective hallucination, based upon more primal elements. Within the film we see two sisters, the first Justine lapses into complete nihilism a surrender into the nothingness of the universe and becomes inert.
Then we see her sister, the second part of the film who tries to pull her out of her malaise through infusing an aesthetic beauty into her. Her husband the man of science tries to appear rational and aloof.
Within the film the issue of nihilism arises consistently as an overarching paralysis, raising all types of questions for those who remain and exist. These are finally answered by a huge surge of melancholia at the end.
This is not a film in the usual sense of being led into a world of escapism where there are subsequent Prozac/Citalopram style happy ending resolutions. This film is just the opposite of the American fayre, it aims to unsettle and distort your perceptions not glaze them with cheap adrenaline rushes.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Melancholia is an utterly original, borderline pretentious, but occasionally stunningly beautiful take on the old end-of the world scenario.
The extended opening sequence, employing extreme slow-motion effects and astronomical imagery is gorgeous to behold, every scene from which could be hung in The Tate.
This leads into Justine's story (Kirsten Dunst), which cleverly parallels her inner melancholy with the approach of Earth's aptly named nemesis. The message I took from Part 1 is that humans tend to focus on trivia whilst failing to observe the bigger picture. Things gather pace with Part Two - Claire. Here, the focus switches to Justine's sister (superbly played by Charlotte Gainsbourg) as she attempts to balance her life as a wife, mother and sister/nursemaid with her growing feelings of impending doom.
It all sounds pretty grim and depressing doesn't it? Any yet, somehow, the film manages to be, well if not exactly uplifting, at least stirring and inspiritional about the human spirit. At 135 minutes, Melancholia threatens on occasion to overstay its welcome, but stay the course and you will be rewarded and, believe me, many scenes will remain with you for a long time. On Blu-ray it all looks magnificent and the audio, which includes a Wagnerian score, is suitably grandiose. Interviews, making-of and a trailer completes the package.
Whilst I found much to enjoy here, Melancholia will clearly not be to everyone's taste and, as apocalyptic movies go, Melancholia is about as far removed from say 2012 as you can get. If you are a patient soul and are happy to sacrifice action for more profound and contemplative material, then Melancholia is worth adding to your collection. 3.5 stars seems about right.
The extended opening sequence, employing extreme slow-motion effects and astronomical imagery is gorgeous to behold, every scene from which could be hung in The Tate.
This leads into Justine's story (Kirsten Dunst), which cleverly parallels her inner melancholy with the approach of Earth's aptly named nemesis. The message I took from Part 1 is that humans tend to focus on trivia whilst failing to observe the bigger picture. Things gather pace with Part Two - Claire. Here, the focus switches to Justine's sister (superbly played by Charlotte Gainsbourg) as she attempts to balance her life as a wife, mother and sister/nursemaid with her growing feelings of impending doom.
It all sounds pretty grim and depressing doesn't it? Any yet, somehow, the film manages to be, well if not exactly uplifting, at least stirring and inspiritional about the human spirit. At 135 minutes, Melancholia threatens on occasion to overstay its welcome, but stay the course and you will be rewarded and, believe me, many scenes will remain with you for a long time. On Blu-ray it all looks magnificent and the audio, which includes a Wagnerian score, is suitably grandiose. Interviews, making-of and a trailer completes the package.
Whilst I found much to enjoy here, Melancholia will clearly not be to everyone's taste and, as apocalyptic movies go, Melancholia is about as far removed from say 2012 as you can get. If you are a patient soul and are happy to sacrifice action for more profound and contemplative material, then Melancholia is worth adding to your collection. 3.5 stars seems about right.
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3.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Did not finish it
Started to watch this movie as a weekend treat. We had a good expectation but were not amused by the start of it.
Movie was stopped after 20 minutes or so. Read more
Movie was stopped after 20 minutes or so. Read more
Published 1 month ago by D. Klaassen
5.0 out of 5 stars
As it would really happen !!
At last an apocalyptic style movie that portrays the events leading up to the planet Melancholia colliding with planet Earth in a way not involving stupid acts of pointless heroism... Read more
Published 2 months ago by DaveA
5.0 out of 5 stars
a real masterpiece
this film is under the influence of famous painter as Brueghel it means both the cruelty and beauty of life.within a family story. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Corbin Gérard
1.0 out of 5 stars
Rubbish Film
Bought as a present and force to watch it, the best part is when Kirsten Dunst she gets her tits out a couple of times that's it.
Published 2 months ago by daimb
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thing to thick about.
I really enjoyed it. It is one of those movies you have to watch more than once. I bought it because of Kirsten Dunst she is excellent in the roll. Definately one to own.
Published 2 months ago by C. Hutty
4.0 out of 5 stars
Moving
Long long intro, but this was the extended version, once you get past the ridiculous and tedious scene with the limo the film becomes a haunting masterpiece.
Published 2 months ago by Mr Stephen Fraser
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Not" The Tree of Life
My favourite film in a very long time [probably since South Park the Movie]. Visually gorgeous, I have watched it on Blu-Ray but am desperate to see it in the cinema. Read more
Published 3 months ago by St Denis
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Nose-Dive into Depression
As part of Von Trier's 'Trilogy of Depression' which includes Antichrist and the soon-to-be released Nymphomaniac, Melancholia shows the directors visual art on a most unusual... Read more
Published 3 months ago by connorf95
1.0 out of 5 stars
Inaudible as well
I have gone quickly through the adverse reviews of this film, but have not noticed anyone pointing out that much of the dialogue is inaudible. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Giles Penfold
1.0 out of 5 stars
Ponderous and boring
First 9 minutes nothing happens. Just some pictures of people in different poses. Nothing is said, just music. Read more
Published 4 months ago by John
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