Review of Dancer in the Dark (2000) by Tishka F — 15 May 2011

This Lars Von Trier film starring Bjork should be remembered as not only one of the greatest of the director's career but one where he pulls a remarkable and memorable performance from the singer. The story goes that Czech immigrant, Selma Jezkova (Bjork), is living and working in America to save money for an operation her son must have in order to save his eyesight. It's a family disease which means she is also losing her sight, having already suffered the same fate that is approaching her son. She works all the hours she can manage, just until she can get enough money together before she succumbs to her own inevitable blindness.

Dancer In The Dark is filmed as a musical and the songs are developed from Selma's interaction with the sounds around her. This can be a stuck record loop, heavy rhythmic-sounding machinery, a rattling train track - all produced by regular Bjork collaborator, Mark Bell. It's a pretty bleak story but it never gets downright depressing or suffocating. Some may find Von Trier's Dogme '95 way of hand-held camera filming a little hard to connect with, nevertheless it immerses you completely into the scene and adds a level of realism that the film requires to make it's intentions work.

Some critics suggested that Dancer In The Dark might be too brutal and emotionally numbing for some to enjoy. However, its raw portrayal of love, family and selflessness is delivered bravely and fearlessly. For this reason, it should be commended.

A triumph.