it's still had a major impact on me just like the first time seeing it. Never before did I see a film reflect so much pain. I'm not all too familiar with Lars Von Triers' work, besides Dancer In the Dark I've seen Dogville and The Idiots, so I'm not sure if from all films he made so far this is the most tragic one. I do know this one is the final part of a trilogy called 'Golden Heart', which are about people like Selma who despite everything they're going through keep a sense of naïvity. Selma's love for musicals is reflected through the movie by scenes of singing and dancing, making the film itself a musical too. It's strange though to call it a musical, since musicals always seem happy and fun and this film is quite the opposite. Personally, I don't really like all the musical scenes. The scene with the song 'I've Seen It All' is great, as are the last scenes from Selma in prison. But the tapping scene in court and the one after Selma kills Bill seem kind of out of place, even though as a viewer you know it's all in Sema's imagination and it's her way of dealing with life. These scenes also come kind of a relieve for the viewer, since the emtions can build up so high, that's it's nice to been given a moment to breath between all the suffering. Throughout all of this singer Björk does an impressive job in playing Selma and keeping her character alive. Björk manages to get hold of every one of Selma's emotions and showing them as her own. Her facial expressions, her voice, her movement, they all fit perfectly, making her performance a perfect portrayal of Selma. Making her look brave, always showing the joy in her eyes, Björk looks angelic winning the audience attention. Von Trier could not have found a better actress to play her. It's really one of the most stunning performances I've ever seen. It's very praiseworthy how, besides all the crying and sobbing, Björk keeps her character real not falling into the trap of making her come off as overexaggerating and pitiful.What is it about?
Dancer In The Dark tells the tragic story of Selma Jezkova, a young woman from Czechoslovakia, who has come to the US to work as an immigrant and is dreaming her life away working in a factory. Spending most of her days working, her only relieve from her work is drama class, where she rehearses for a version of the musical 'The Sound Of Music' in which Selma will play the lead. Living in a trailer together with her son, Selma is taken care of by Bill, an American cop, and his wife Linda. Also her best friend Kathy whom she knows from the factory and Jeff, who has a crush on her, take good care after the young woman. Everything goes dramatically wrong though, when Bill comes knocking on Selma's door and starts informing her of his secret. Always looking as if having no financial problems at all, he tells Selma about his need for money and his fear of losing his wife, because they're really not as wealthy as it seems. In exchange for his honesty, Selma decides to tell him a secret of her own. It turns out, Selma almost has no eye sight left and eventually will turn blind. She has always known this and is sure her son Gene, who will turn thirteen very soon, will have the same future.
Working many day shifts int the factory, almost all of the money she earns will be saved for an operation for Gene that will make him able to not go blind when he gets older. This is also the main purpose of why Selma came to the US and didn't stay in Czechoslovakia. When one night Bill finds out about where Selma is hiding this money, he later on makes up this fake story to his wife about Selma falling in love with him and trying to take their money. This money is actually Selma's which Bill has stolen from her. Next thing the two get involved in a conflict which has drastic consequences for Selma and the future of her son Gene.Final Verdict: ****1/2
A film with a huge impact, never before did I see a film reflecting so much emotions and being so real, not scaring away from becoming to overladen with heavy emotions of pain and suffering. The ending is amazing, closing the film with a big emotional bang that hits you unexpectedly. Just like your life can be taken away in a split second too. It's strange that a
film with so much hurt can also provide for some laughs and remains higly enjoyable. The subtle love story between Jeff and Selma feels like real affection being very honest and realistic. Dancer In The Dark is a great film and provides for a whole new experience. It's original and fresh, really standing on its own. With Björk giving a performance of a lifetime, her character and the story of the film grab hold of you and never let go. It's an emotional rollercoaster thrill ride that must not be missed.
No comments:
Post a Comment