Review of Breaking the Waves (1996) by Miguel I — 20 Apr 2010

(from The Watermark, 03/06/97).

Watson is a young girl in Scotland in the early 1970's who finds her love for her husband and her faith in God being put to the ultimate test. The childlike Watson marries her true love (Skarsgard), and she quickly learns about sex and physically expressing her love. We learn she is slightly schizophrenic, but completely good and harmless nonetheless. Skarsgard, who works on an oil rig, ends up having an accident that leaves him paralyzed. Now unable to physically love his wife, he makes an odd request: he asks that she have sex with other men, and tell him about the encounters so he can feel a part of the experience. Though at first repulsed by the notion, Watson prays and deduces that it is Skarsgard's love for her that will help him get better, and she should do as he asks. As the people in her small religious town catch wind of her escapades, she becomes an outcast from both her church and her family.

Writer-director Lars von Trier infuses the film with potent themes of faith and love. Careful attention is paid to the camera focusing, sepia-tinting, and textural overlays, but the two and a half hour film lacks any sense of pace - it is far too much of a good thing. His choice to use only hand-held cameras creates a wobbly frame of reference that will make you seasick. (No fooling - I had a headache and an upset stomach by the time the film was over.) I can certainly recommend Breaking the Waves for those who like a good slow movie. Just be sure to bring your Dramamine along. Queer Quotient: The nudity in the film is treated very matter-of-factly, such as scenes in which Skarsgard and his rig buddies hang out in the shower and frolic naked. The odd thing is that even with Watson's sexy scenes, there's more male nudity than there is female nudity. I don't have a problem with that.