| DANCER IN THE DARK |
 2000 -
Germany / USA / Netherlands / UK / Denmark / France / Sweden / Finland / Iceland
/ Norway
Director:
Lars
von Trier - Reviewed by Linda
Wow! I'm always pleased when I like a movie more than I expect to (especially since I'm accused of being a jaded movie-goer). Dancer in the Dark (like Breaking the Waves) introduces to us a strong and pure woman who ends up a victim of her best intentions. Selma (Björk) is a Czech immigrant in 1960s America (specifically Washington State) who is a single mother to Gene, a 12-year-old boy. They rent a trailer home in the yard of a seemingly well-to-do couple Bill (David Morse), the small-town police officer, and his wife Linda (Cara Seymour). Selma's best friend Kathy (Catherine Deneuve!!!) works with her at a factory, and her almost-boyfriend Jeff (Peter Stormare) arrives early every day to offer Selma a ride from work (though she diligently insists on riding her bicycle). Selma is a bit of a strange bird though: she has a secret that she is going blind (she manages to fake her way at work until there is an accident), and she daydreams... a lot. In her fantasy life, she is the star of her own classic Hollywood-style musical: the sounds of the factory machines become a beat; the chugging of a train becomes the backdrop to a song... everything literally becomes Technicolor and vibrant compared to her regular life. The first half of Dancer in the Dark is charming and wistful. Selma confesses the secret of her failing eyesight to her neighbor Bill, after he tearfully admits to her that despite outward appearances, he is broke and is afraid to tell his wife. Selma and Bill have a believable, tender, non-sexual friendship, but soon we notice that in his increasing desperation, Bill becomes emotionally and morally unstable. There is a betrayal and a shocking tragedy, and pretty much the whole tone of the film turns very very dark for the second half. There is a lot about Dancer in the Dark that shouldn't work. For one thing, von Trier has never even been to the USA, much less the Northwest. Sweden stands in for Washington State somewhat believably (though audiences here in Seattle chuckled at the thought of Catherine Deneuve working in one of our state's small-town factories). Von Trier's 1960s America is as stylized by popular media as Selma's own visions of her life as a Hollywood musical. And for a modern movie to be a straight-faced musical is an accomplishment in itself. It helps that Björk is a pop singer already, but von Trier pulls off the song-and-dance scenes as deadpan as his alleged influence The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (the classic 1964 French musical starring Deneuve herself). The narration in the songs' lyrics is as crucial to the development of Selma's character as any non-musical scene. Björk is a marvel as Selma. I couldn't take my eyes off her. Elfin and pixie-ish, she convincingly plays the role of strong and stubborn mother, while keeping a pure, trusting, and innocent outlook on life. The tender friendship between her and Deneuve, as bizarre a pairing as it is, somehow works. Von Trier once again pulls an astonishing performance out of his lead actress, so much so that it is painful to watch. Björk's heart-wrenching work is the most devastating and haunting performance of the year. It's no wonder that Björk, after winning the top acting award at Cannes, says she's never going to act again. |
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Dancer
in the Dark caused quite a stir at the Cannes Film Festival when it won the
Palme D'Or for Best Picture, as well as the Best Actress award for Icelandic pop
singer Björk, in her first acting role ever. Apparently, the film completely
divided audiences—they either loved it or hated it. Considering who is
involved in this film, that isn't very surprising: Björk, as a singer, is
pretty bizarre, and an acquired taste. The same could be said for director Lars
von Trier, whose Breaking the Waves left me feeling like I had been
emotionally assaulted for over two hours. So after a little hesitation (keeping
in mind fear of another emotional breakdown) I decided to check out this film.