Review of Dancer in the Dark (2000) by Andrew C — 13 Oct 2009

In the making of this film it is said that Bjork ate her cardigan due to frustrating demands from the infamously cruel director Lars von Trier who has recently made the ultimate fucked up film of the decade Anti Christ. I find it hard to not only believe but understand why, her acting in the film is undoubtedly the best performance from any singer song writer who decided it would be a good idea to act. The film is outrageously depressing but insightful and gripping and beautiful, the sense of despair smothers this film all the way to the gravely tragic ending.

But the music (preformed by Bjork) is amazing and the use of still camera shots during the musical sequences give juxtaposes with the shaky hand held feel the film has. The dancing moments are vague and fast but stimulate a sense of sparkle and imagination of a deteriorating mind that is clinging on to the brutally real tragedy of her life.

With her unique singing voice and performance style you can see why she is hailed as being the most obscure of pop singers. The acting from others such as the amazing Catherine Deneuve who plays the fellow friend of Bjork's character Selma Ježková is a legend in the acting world and stands out in her unusual role one would seem uneasy of casting at first glance.

The films combines the joys of musical and the tragic cycle of life beautifully and gracefully.