Melancholia

[jimlup]

I was entranced by this movie! Wow!

I have never seen a movie that was this sublime and powerful. It is a fascinating interwoven psychological drama about the end of the world.

I would say "Great." It was mesmerizing. I left the film feeling lonely sad and also terrified. It was like an exceptionally vivid nightmare brought to life. That someone had the guts and the artistic ability to put it on screen was inspiring. My hats off to Lars von Trier.

Probably won't get wide play as I doubt that many will "get it". I went with my ex and she feel asleep and was totally bored. It was like taking a deaf person to see Beethoven's 9th. She totally missed the feeling part of it.

I realized that your view of this movie will probably be related to your view of another weird and "deep" movie from earlier in the year "Tree of Life". If you liked one you will likely like the other. Many will hate both and wonder why anyone would pay their respective directors to make them. Others (like me) will praise the directors. Particularly this one as one of the greatest ever to put artistic talent to film.

Too bad it won't get wider play - but I'm guessing the economics of a "deep" movie like this are pretty sour to say the least. Anyway - if you like weird deep movies that explore human emotions and our connection to the universe in a complex way you will enjoy Melancholia.

http://www.melancholiathemovie.com/#_welcome

[ZenLefty]

1. I heard this was very good

Very well done and thought provoking. It doesn't sound like my kind of movie but I may catch it anyway.

Von Trier's previous film Antichrist was downright harrowing. It's like he is very depressed and he wants everyone else to be depressed too. I was a little wary of Melancholia knowing he directed that.

[Xipe Totec]

2. I'm reading the movie review in the NYT

"The expectation of punishment is, of course, one reason people go to a Lars von Trier movie in the first place. Suffering — predominantly, though not exclusively, the suffering of women — is both his favorite subject and his preferred method. He is a crafty sadist, but also, for all his tricks and provocations, a sincere one."

http://movies.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/movies/lars-von-triers-melancholia-review.html

I don't know what to say...

[jimlup]

3. Interesting - I read the review

I have not seen other Lars von Trier movies so I can't critic the movie from the perspective of one who has. My take on the NYT review was that is was missing some critical points. Like Justine's apparent pre-vision. Not that the metaphysical aspect was significant. I think it was simply intended as a window into the Justine's world view. Which was an Existentialist perspective on things and rather significantly the point of the movie.

I noticed at one point when Claire said: "There must be life elsewhere" and Justine replied "No there is not and soon there will not be life on Earth." It was an Existentialist moment of some significance. I also found myself contemplating Justine's statement that "Life is evil". I wondered for awhile why she said that. I would put it towards her depression but I think I'm reading too much in to the movie by saying that.

[Peregrine Took]

4. Hated both although they were visually arresting, especially Melencholia which was gorgeous.

I found Tree of Life boring and pretentious and Melancholia just to be depressing as hell.

[jimlup]

5. I agree with you on the Melancholia being depressing...

But in my view it is just a fact. Like "Get over it" or not. Either way it can't be changed. That is why I liked the movie. It inspired me to just live and enjoy my life and not worry about what some others might think... because well they don't matter. It is an existential view of things.