Melancholia (2011)
Melancholia never truly passes.
Presentation:
Lars Von Trier’s most polished and perhaps greatest film is a 2 act drama wrapped in a sci-fi movie and the second film in the depression trilogy. The beginning 8 minutes has one of the most visually arresting art house montages I’ve seen in cinema and I would honesty have been satisfied if it had ended right there. But there’s more! The first part focuses on Kristen Dunst, whom impressed me with a very nuanced take on depression. It was painful to see as Trier really understands the ins and outs of depression and how it affects people in social settings. The Oscar studded cast is wonderfully awful as everyone is pretty much Oppenheimer levels of prestige. It was also neat to see a young Brady Corbet acting here. Poor guy always ends up in the most traumatizing movies - no wonder his films are the way they are. The soundtrack is Warner’s Tristan Und Solde on repeat, which is a very striking German choice. The rough handheld zooms and grungy lighting attempt at dirtying up the frame, but the image quality is still quite sharp and digital. What matters is the script and performances.
Conclusion:
I think this film would have been fantastic with just the first part, especially as the second is somewhat redundant and may even detract from the grounded nature of the first. But he had to conclude it somehow, though prepare for a few holes. If you’ve aren’t familiar with Trier’s films, they are designed to provoke you. This film accomplishes that in spades so just expect to be frustrated and full of loathing. Some may not want that experience in cinema, but it’s a fresh perspective nonetheless. Because of the troubling nature of this film, I don’t exactly wish to recommend or promote its message. But it’s objectively so profound and well executed that it still has my attention and respect. Prepare to be upset as melancholia never truly passes.
Recommendations
Reversing time doesn’t heal all wounds.