Review of Melancholia (2011) by Lane Z — 26 Dec 2012

Melancholia is a beautifully gloomy film wrapped in a subtle but powerful drama with a hint of supernatural vibe. I loved how the Director and Producer Lars von Triers created such an extraordinary piece of work that has a such a bold atmosphere ,it draws you in right away. Of course it was helped by a great performance of its cast such as TV actor Kiefer Sutherland (24, Touch) and english actress Charlotte Gainsbourg who is the daughter of Serge Gainsbourg. But the award for the best actress should go to Kristen Dunst who probably delivered her best acting performance in this film.

Melancholia is worth watching for various reasons. The storyline itself is captivating as it tries to project the supposed psychological reaction towards the end of the world. Gainsbourg's character represents those who loves life, dealing the end of the world with such a panic and denial. While Dunst's character represents the opposites, as she was calm and apathetic.

Since the beginning of the movie , we are provided by tranquil picture and beautiful settings. The music ,characterized by its sorrowful melody, sets the tone for the rest of the movie.

Even so, the movie is not without flaws. It is such a long movies. The pace is slow, and it stop way too long in a certain scenes which I supposed was intended for the audience to capture and soak emotions profoundly. And it was working for me.

By the end of the film, I've got to say I was wowed by the strength of the last scenes. It was such a powerful and dramatic ending that was a gasp-worthy. This film left me with a sadness, depressions , and a slight of fright that haunted me for quite a while. And yes, this film will give you a melancholy....or melancholia (not sure which one is the right noun). I supposed this film is not for everyone. But it certainly gives you an unforgettable experience that makes you want to live your lives as if tomorrow never comes.