Comments

[TB]

Every time I see a picture from one of his last few films my immediate gut reaction is to say, ugh Lars, just go to a therapist like everyone else...

[Conrado]

pretty ominous thing to post, I hope Nathaniel isn't feeling as depressed as Lars

[TB]

Oh no! :( Not what I meant at all! Oh dear, I would delete the comment if I could! It's more that I feel that Von Trier uses his depression as an excuse to say and do whatever he pleases, regardless of the effects on others. But you're right, that comment reads as incredibly unkind. Sorry!

[MDA]

Loved this movie, wish other directors were as daring and interesting as von Trier.

[3rtful]

I saw 12 Years a Slave today and the earliest scene of violence involving Lupita Nyong'o's character continues to repeat in my mind as the most upsetting moment. And considering what happens to her character latter in the film that is a shocking feat.

[CMG]

Not to sound like a broken record but that movie does totally get depressives in ways that other films just don't come close. I guess it helps to consider it is Lars directing Dunst and both have been pretty open about their issues. Anyway, I have related to this movie way too many times of late. But goodness it is one my favorites of the last ten years.

And I actually think this movie is where LVT is at his most aware that his openness about depression is what people think of him the way people in Melancholia react to his characters being depressed. Dare I say there's maturity.

[TB]

One of my favorite articles on this site ever was a comparison between the treatment of depression in Melancholia and Bridesmaids. One of those reviews that totally puts your own feelings into perspective and makes you rethink the films. But I think as someone who has had their own issues with depression, his films, especially the latest ones, just wear me down. I end up feeling hopeless for days.

[Mike in Canada]

Every image from this movie is so freaking gorgeous.

[Sad man]

Completely agree with MDA.

[verbocityeric]

For great art about depression, nothing beats Oblomov by Ivan Goncharov.

Breaking The Waves was, for me, so repellant that i cannot watch another of his films.

[Anonny]

@TB - your comment was fine (and completely true). I think Conrado's ominous comment was just refering to Nathaniel's posting, not your comment.

Although aside from some great visuals, Dunst nudity (she was absolutely gorgeous in this one, no?), and some good acting moments peaking up here and there, this movie was pretty all around awful. I hated this film.

[denny]

Fucking gorgeous. I wish this had gotten more awards traction in general (not just with the Academy).

I'll never forget how nervous I was that I would miss this in theaters and that my man wouldn't want to go with me. He still had not forgiven me for The Tree of Life (which I loved and he was bored to tears by) and I was worried I was going to have to trick him into going by telling him it was a sci-fi film about the apocalypse. Instead, I just showed him the trailer and he surprised me by saying yes. Then on the drive home he wouldn't stop talking about Tristan und Isolde and how smartly von Trier used the music (he was a music major in college, and sings opera). He still hasn't forgiven me for Tree of Life, though.

[Evan]

I thought of this movie during 12 Years a Slave, when in a heated conversation between Chiwetel and Lupita, he uses the word "melancholia." It's one of a number of instances in which phrases or onscreen visuals took me out of the film.

[CMG]

"I thought of this movie during 12 Years a Slave, when in a heated conversation between Chiwetel and Lupita, he uses the word "melancholia." It's one of a number of instances in which phrases or onscreen visuals took me out of the film."

Why? Why that phrase?

[Evan]

Why was I taken out of 12YaS you mean? Because a number of the lines were super awkward or unintentionally funny (thinking of one in particular in the film's final scene), or because Fassy's wardrobe was über-revealing at times. ;-)