Review of Dancer in the Dark (2000) by Kata Rina D — 05 Oct 2008

My first experience with Von Trier's works, though I plan to see more. For a breakout acting role, Bjork turns a strong, human performance and definitely makes an impact in her portrayal of Selma. The direction is strong overall, as is the acting in general - though as you'd just about expect in being familiar with Von Trier's background and feelings on America, while making films set there, much of the cast doesn't exactly sound American.

(And Americans are something of a minority in the main cast.) The core story itself is strong, if not a bit absurdly melodramatic in its twists and turns, but despite the minor flaws, again, the story is certainly a strong one.

I'm not a huge fan of musicals, but I'd say this one is certainly an exception - Bjork's music is quite different from the usual show tune style musical numbers that tend to define the genre.

It's a film about fantasy, after all - personal escapism from a miserable, spiraling reality. Not a clunky film adaptation of a stage musical, like many. It all works, in the end. While Dancer in the Dark isn't without its flaws, it's an enjoyable - if not somewhat depressing - work of art house cinema.

I'm certainly looking forward to seeing more of Lars von Trier's work in the future.