Review Corner: Melancholia
A visually stunning movie that one could only describe as an artistic science fiction drama about what happens to a dysfunctional family in the face of the impending apocalypse.
Lars Von Trier, who some may remember from the multiple award winning artsy horror movie "Antichrist" and is known for beautifully filmed but sometimes controversial work, both wrote and directed "Melancholia."
In the beginning of the movie I was fooled into thinking Kirsten Dunst's character was a nice charming person I could watch a movie about. This was all tossed aside by the end of the first 45 minutes, at which point her character Justine, moments before her expensive and elaborate wedding, begins acting like a schizo, Jezebel, and any mans' nightmare wife.
After running off her husband with her annoying and hard to watch antics, Justine and her family are left to unravel even further as they wait out the possible collision of a rogue planet headed their way.
To someone, perhaps a little more sympathetic than myself, the hints that Justine shares some sort of connection to the planet headed towards them could make you not dislike her character entirely. I, however, did not have it in me.
With a great back up cast as well, including Kiefer Sutherland, Alex Skarsgard (best thing about the movie), and Charlotte Gainsbourg, I figured it'd be worth sticking it out till the end.
Sadly it never really picks up, as the characters remain remarkably boring the entire time and never really come to any conclusions even after knowing the planet "Melancholia" is due to hit Earth anytime now.
Without a doubt the cinematography is the highlight of the film with more than a few beautiful slow motion images that are sure to be stuck in your head for a while, making me not hate the movie entirely.
The end is definitely one of those endings that happens as soon as you think something exciting is finally going to happen, leaving everyone in the room staring at each other with looks of confusion and disappointment.
Only showing at the Landmark Harvard Exit in Capitol Hill, I'd probably wait until this one comes out on video. Even then I wouldn't highly recommend it unless you're just in the mood to simply see something pretty.
A.J. Bryson, Staff Writer
