Review of Dancer in the Dark (2000) by Lorenzo V — 21 Sep 2009
"They say it's the last song. They don't know us, you see. It's only the last song if we let it be.".
An east European girl goes to America with her young son, expecting it to be like a Hollywood film.
REVIEW.
Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier's daring, `Dogma'-tic depiction of sacrificial lamb in the form of going-blind, single mother/factory worker Czech immigrant Selma Jezkova (Iclandic pop singer Bjork in an outstanding, memorable film debut - and reputedly last time on the silver screen) circa 1950s Washington state, borderlines misogynistic sadism and placating the adage of ignorance being bliss in this tragic quasi musical. > Riveting and maddening at the same time (largely thanks to the audacity to jump to haunting musical moments out of nowhere) it is unique in its deliverance of a semi-innocent character that one feels needs some type of protection from her doom and a righteous anger as the script betrays her along the way. Fantastic use of film stock color depletion/enhancement (the latter during the musical moments) by cinematographer Robby Muller and von Trier (employing over 100 digital cameras) gives the fairy tale quality a punch of surreality. Deneuve gives another beautiful performance as Selma's best friend and co-worker who tries to keep her charge from harm. Operatic and Greek tragedy in delivery with some humor sprinkled makes for a cringe-worthy, throat constricting time by the film's heartbreaking climax and unmistakably memorable ending that will haunt you long after viewing. Tough to watch; impossible not to.
This review of Dancer in the Dark (2000) was written by Lorenzo V on 21 Sep 2009.
Dancer in the Dark has generally received very positive reviews.
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