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Health & Fitness

Lars von Trier's New Film Melancholia: The Anxiety of Weddings and Planets

Lars von Trier's new film Melancholia is a fascinating look at how differently anxiety plagues two sisters in the midst of a new marriage and the possible end of the world.

Earlier this year Kirsten Dunst won the Best Actress prize at the Cannes Film Festival for Lars von Trier’s latest, Melancholia.  It’s a very unusual piece of work that combines a wedding, high anxiety, and the potential end of the world.

The film is divided in two parts.  The first section concerns Justine, played by Dunst.  She and her new husband are running late to their big wedding reception that is being held in the home of her sister Claire, played by Charlotte Gainsbourg.  Initially Justine comes off as pretty carefree and deliciously happy.  She’s not at all bothered by the delay.  Once they reach the large gathering, she begins to slowly unravel.  She’s a character completely ill at ease with the life that stands before her.  Claire consoles her, but much of it is to no avail.

In part two it is Claire that stands on the brink of hysteria.  The cause is a fly by planet that threatens to hit Earth.  Claire’s astronomy-loving husband John, played by Kiefer Sutherland, attempts to reassure her that the crash is far from inevitable.  However, internet research only creates more anxiety for Claire as the planet draws nearer.  This time it is Justine who remains calm and accepting of whatever fate has in store.

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The film explores how different people react to the same situations, how anticipation is relative.  One person’s impending doom is another’s moment to take charge.  It’s also about the effect one’s believed knowledge can have on their psyche.  Information may yield equally a sense of power and desperation.

This is a wholly original film that uses anxiety-ridden handheld cameras as tension mounts and just a touch of special effects to make it come together in the end.

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The performances are top notch.  Both Dunst and Gainsbourg must hit a range of emotions from complete hysteria to joy and fear.  Sutherland is also quite good as John.  His character exudes frustration to confidence as his power over various bits of knowledge fluctuates.

The film is a fascinating ride that may equally satisfy art crowds as well as those seeking a science fiction-oriented predicament.  Of course, that satisfaction is all based on our ability, like the characters, to feel power over the potential chaos that sits in front of us.  Melancholia is currently playing on cable On Demand.  It opens in theaters next month. 

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