(film review)

‘Melancholia’ (2011) is a science-fiction drama art film written and directed by Lars von Trier and starring Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Kiefer Sutherland. The film is in two parts, named after the sisters: Justin and Claire. Events unfold at Justin’s wedding, organized by Claire’s husband in his mansion. At the same time, it is casually mentioned that the planet Melancholy is flying to the Earth.

“I can only say one thing: enjoy it until it’s over.” I want to note that although the story begins smoothly, even too measurably, the film director successfully picks up the details. In the first part, exogenous depression is beautifully shown, although it seems not obvious at first glance. The heroine is so shocked that by the end of her own wedding she can hardly get out of bed.

If you do not go into spoilers, you can only notice how “Justin” is subtly shown at the beginning of the holiday and at the end. How slowly changes her mood… It will be very difficult for a person who does not know the theory of depression to build a causal relation between a person who goes to the wedding and the subsequent psychological state. I can’t say that this is a minus of the film, it just isn’t for everyone. Definitely it is not for comfortable viewing, but for thoughtful and calm analyzing.

There is a little dialogue in the film, more action, facial expressions, and gestures. It is easy to understand their mood by the faces of the heroines. In the second part of “Claire,” we are told about Sister Justin and her relationship to the planet Melancholy.

Justin in this part is transformed: hearing that, perhaps, they all will die; she seems to come to life. In fact, the possibility of death solves her problem of life; therefore, instead of continuing to be inactive, she begins to move. Claire perceives this information in a completely opposite way – she is desperately afraid of her life and does not want to lose the happiness that she has. Their reactions to the news are surprisingly well shown: Justin’s cold acceptance and Claire’s violent denial.

The whole film is saturated with hidden meanings and even the intro at the very beginning, which lasts 8 minutes, at the end finally acquires meaning in the eyes of the viewer. This is an amazingly sensual story in which you will not find a direct explanation of the actions of the characters. I rate the film 9/10 and only because, probably, I will not be able to re-watch it soon.