Melancholia (Von Trier, 2011)

[fizz]

Justine and Micheal are getting married - but they've picked the worst time imaginable. On their big day, they learn that a planet in close proximity to the Earth is getting closer and may collide soon. Justine (Kirsten Dunst, in a career best), who we learn during the course of the wedding, is a chronic depressive and the onslaught of this cosmic collision triggers the worst in her. This first part, labelled "Justine" by a title card, is similar in form and structure to the Danish film "Festen", which was directed by Von Trier's fellow Dogme creator Thomas Vinterberg. The second part of the film, entitled "Claire" in reference to Justine's sister, follows the events after the wedding night and leading to the day of interplanetary "fly-by" (since the two planets, as per astronomical calculations, are not expected to collide but instead have a close brush).

Like the "Tree of Life" from earlier this year, "Melancholia's" ambitious narrative weaves the macro and the micro - the personal and the cosmic intertwined. As a end of the world scenario, the entire setup becomes a metaphor for depression and what it means to feel and live in a constant state of dreadfulness. The film's tone is therfore, from start to finish, eerie and intense and the secluded mansion setting only adds to this. The Wagner score echoes the pessimism we see on the screen - fusing to form an ending that is hard to shake off.

Rating: 4/5

[shariqq]

Nice! I had lined this up for a New Year's Eve watch, but that plan got derailed. I'll watch it in the next few days; and surely after your review of it.

But, no rating? Give it a number, man

[kaytee]

Depression and to deal with the end of the world are the central themes about Melancholia but I feel the most important link is the relationship between Justine and Claire. Claire keeps telling Justine that she really hates her but still takes care of her and similarly towards the end Justine brings Claire to terms with the end of the world.
There are a lot of questions on my mind, maybe we can have a discussion once everyone has seen it. But this one has to be one of the strongest films of the year.

[X.]

MELANCHOLIA has as much to do with its creator's (Lars von Trier) state of mind as the gathering zeitgeist of the present time: alienation. The film deals with the end of the world as we know it, but what's interesting is that the film can be inferred as the very personal vision of Kirsten Dunst's Justine (based on Lars von Trier himself; also an ode to Marquis de Sade's book) for whom the world teeters on the brink of destruction -- nothing can bring her joy; not even marriage to a very good and honorable man. So when the world does end, literally and figuratively, Justine and Claire (her alter-ego played with subtle grace by Charlotte Gainsbourg) make their peace and decide to become one with the universe. They are no longer alone. Highly Recommended

[ayaa1977]

I will see it as soon as I could since it comes so highly recommended by you guys

[kaytee]

Yes Lars von Trier personal state of mind is at show here and Kirsten Dunst does play the part perfectly.

[animatedude]

on IMDB.com the movie is listed with 29 wins & 47 nominations but not a single nomination for the great score which i think took the movie to a whole new level.

this is probably the best "end of the world" movie i've seen since Children Of Men....when i think about the end of the world movies i think about the usual scene of crazy ppl screaming and shouting from every part of the world...but this is just amazing.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/ueAYUp4rHZI&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/ueAYUp4rHZI&rel=1</a>


i wonder if scientists made a big fuzz about if it's scientifically true this is what will happen if  a planet collided with our evil Earth lol

[fizz]

on IMDB.com the movie is listed with 29 wins & 47 nominations but not a single nomination for the great score which i think took the movie to a whole new level.

From Wikipedia:

Because its not an original score:

The film prominently features music from Richard Wagner's prelude to his opera Tristan und Isolde.