MELANCHOLIA
RYAN: Director Lars von Trier is often a hard pill to swallow. The same can be said of his work. His movies are critically acclaimed but not that altogether watchable for the average moviegoer. And though his latest movie, Melancholia, has a bit more narrative than most of his films, he still managed to alienate himself with pro-Hitler comments at Cannes this year.
CAROLINE: Yeah, what was that about? Poor Kirsten Dunst didn’t know what to do with herself sitting next to him. But I digress… how was the film?
RYAN: It’s alright, but like typical von Trier, it’s awkward and very slow. I feel like it’s so en vogue to rally around his films in the industry because he is capable of visually stunning imagery.
CAROLINE: True. Even the stills from the movie look good.
RYAN: It’s truly beautiful to look at for the first ten minutes or so, and then the rest of the movie is basically a typical indie movie at a wedding. In fact, it’s very Rachel Getting Married but with Kirsten Dunst instead of Anne Hathaway… and with depression instead of drug addiction.
CAROLINE: Meanwhile, like Anne in her film, Kirsten’s getting raves for this. She even won best actress at Cannes.
RYAN: She is great and I’ve always enjoyed her work.
CAROLINE: I liked her in Marie Antoinette but her teeth drive me nuts.
RYAN: I like her in most everything she’s done.
CAROLINE: And she’s as good as they say she is in this?
RYAN: Yes. I don’t know that she’s Oscar-worthy-good but she’s good. But I’ve been reading interviews with her, specifically one recently in Entertainment Weekly where she was disappointing and overly-confident about an Oscar nod.
CAROLINE: Yeah, I saw that. Kinda not cool.
RYAN: And sizneriously… what is it about every indie movie at a wedding reception being all about the obnoxious toasts given by family members?
CAROLINE: [laughs’ It’s so derivative at this point. Who is it this time? A drunken bridesmaid?
RYAN: Just the bitter mother. It’s drama, but really predictable at this point. And for the record, of the bazillion weddings I’ve attended, I’ve never witnessed an obnoxious toast.
CAROLINE: Me neither! It’s such a movie contrivance. Is there a lot of improv in this one? Lars v.T. is famous for that.
RYAN: Quite a bit… and that’s the thing. It’s super awful when you can tell the difference between improv and scripted delivery in an actor’s work, as is the case with one Alexander Skarsgård.
CAROLINE: Ew. But at least he’s cute to look at.
RYAN: That counts for something. This movie is by no means a must see. And I’m gonna give it a precautionary “Rent It” in the event Kirsten edges out an Oscar nomination; at which point, I always encourage everyone to see the nominated films just because it makes Oscar night that much more fun.
— RATING —
