Melancholia

I think I was expecting a lot more action in this movie because I ended up being rather disappointed during most of it. And a little annoyed by Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and how she behaved. Maybe that's a testament to her acting ability that she was so easily able to irk me. Or I just don't like her, but I've liked her in other movies so it's probably not that.

I hate whispery dialog and this movie is full of it so maybe I missed something important that might have explained some things that didn't make sense. A lot didn't make sense but at least you know going in how it's going to end so there's somethng to look forward to. In the beginning I was rooting for the big sha-bang at the end, because the first half of movie just drags and it's just unfortunate it takes so long to get there. And if this movie is too slow, too whispery, and too long for you too, getting to the end takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r.

I read another review about this movie that said it helps knowing the character Justine suffers from melancholia*, and maybe it would have but I guess we're supposed to know one of them does considering the name of the movie but Melancholia is also the name of the planet coming towards Earth so on the flip side maybe not. It might have helped to see previews too, though we know previews show only the best parts usually.

About three quarters of the way through I started to feel this anxious feeling. Because until the last few minutes or so you really don't know for sure if the end (that you read in the movie description) will come. It's really easy to believe Claire's (Charlotte Gainsbourg) husband (Kiefer Sutherland, especially if you're a 24* fan!) when he assures her that Melancholia will do a fly by and not hit earth.

Too easy.

But soon you know. And then the end is coming and maybe you feel what they feel and what seemed like a bad movie initially (for the first hour, really) has an ending that redeems it somewhat.

Only somewhat.

Visually it was beautiful, no denying that. But too dark --and I don't mean the context, I mean the lighting in the movie in many scenes was so dark you couldn't really see anything. Implications aside, a little light is better than "hey guess what that is" in most cases. Especially when combined with the whispery dialog and scenes that don't seem to make sense while you're watching them.

When this movie ended I thought "ugh stupid movie!" but, having thought about it some more, whatever the point was supposed to be, (over my head or not) it's still with me. The visuals, the characters, the idea of a planet on a possible collision course with Earth.

So for the less high brow crowd that will likely dissect and explain every nuance and angle, maybe that was the point. To make a statement. (any statement, like look at me! watch my movie! remember me!!)

OK, point taken.

Just know, for those who haven't seen it, this is not your average movie. Slow, quiet, dark, and the big sha-bang you read about in the description and reviews --- well you'll have see it --- but you have a long way to go to get there, and, maybe like me, you'll give in a little, get into it some, and feel that slow build of the end coming.