Dancer in the Dark (2000)

Masterpiece or masquerade? Lars von Trier's digicam musical split the critics in two when it debuted at Cannes in 2000. There were those who saw it as a cynical shock-opera from a manipulative charlatan, others wept openly at its scenes of raw emotion and heart-rending intensity. There is, however, no in-between. Dancer in the Dark is that rarest of creatures, a film that dares to push viewers to the limits of their feelings.

In her first and most probably last screen performance (she has foresworn acting after her bruising on-set rows with von Trier), brittle Icelandic chanteuse Björk plays Selma, a Czech immigrant living in a folksy American small town with her young son, Gene. Selma is going blind and so will Gene if she does not arrange an important operation for him. To cover the expense, Selma works every hour she can, cheating on her eye tests so she can keep working at the local factory long after her vision has become too unreliable to work safely. She sublets a house from a local cop, Bill (David Morse), and his wife, Linda (Cara Seymour). When nearly bankrupt Bill asks Selma for a loan, she refuses, but he later returns and steals the money, which she demands back in a furious confrontation. In the ensuing melee, Bill is fatally shot and Selma is arrested and put on trial. Will justice prevail?

Von Trier's passionate, provocative film runs all our emotional resources dry with suspense, giving us occasional flashes into Selma's gold heart and mind with superb song-and-dance numbers she conjures to banish the nightmare (Björk also wrote the score). At some two-and-a-half hours, it's not for lightweights, but anyone bored with today's smug, "ironic" cinema will relish this as an astonishing assault on the senses and a stark reminder of von Trier's uncompromising talent. --Damon Wise Amazon.com

will make you sob uncontrollably

I've never seen a movie that gets at your core and gets under your skin like this film. I'm attracted and repulsed by this film at the same time in that it is such a good film but also actually emotionally painful to watch. I've seen this film 3 times and each time I sob uncontrollably at the end. I recommend this film to people but also caution them because it is so powerful that it transcends the surface entertainment that most films are made for. I know it is just a movie but there is something deeper in this film that transforms in into a very believable temporary reality that lingers on after you've seen the film. Perhaps it is also due to Bjork's acting which in some cases, she wasn't acting, but actually being Selma. She did say that it was emotionally draining making the film. I don't usually waste my time writing reviews for movies, but after seeing this film, you have to get it out of you. I'm just trying to shake it off. June 4, 2008

great Marxist film

Did anyone notice wahat a beautiful Marxist fim this is. Could be one of the top 10 movies I have ever seen.
Talk to a Marxist scholar and then re watch this film, beautiful. April 27, 2008

Bjork & Lars von Trier's collaberation pays off

What starts as a seemingly low budget, shaky camerawork & an improvised sounding dialogue, turns into a very unique film. Once you make it through this, you will find a film that you'll never forget. Bjork gives one of the finest performances of an actress on screen. I think she was robbed of the Best Actress nomination that year. Let's see...Oh Julia Roberts (sorry, not putting her down, just not an especially GREAT actress) gave such a knock-out performance for Erin Brokovich that same year! While I wouldn't call it a musical, the songs add a creepiness to the feel of the film. While I wouldn't say I was a fan of Bjork's music, it fits the film so well & creates atmosphere. Try listening to the songs minus the film & I don't know if it would sound as good. Although it's 2 hours and 20 minutes, you become glued and the time just passes by. I highly recommend this! April 26, 2008

Four Good Reasons to see Dancer in the Dark.

Directed by Lars von Trier (Breaking the Waves; The Idiots), Dancer in the Dark (2000) is an international musical film drama that combines the musical genius of Björk with the gifted acting talent of Catherine Deneuve. (Björk released the soundtrack for the film as her album Selmasongs.) Filmed with a hand-held camera, and inspired by Dogme 95 influences, Dancer in The Dark tells the story of a single mother, Selma Jezková (Björk), a Czech immigrant living in Washington State (though shot in Sweden) with her her son, Gene Jezek (Vladica Kostic). They live in a trailer on the property of town policeman Bill Houston (David Morse). Selma and her friend Kathy, whom she nicknames Cvalda (Deneuve), work at a factory and go to the local cinema together to watch Hollywood musicals. Selma is pursued by a timid coworker, Jeff (Peter Stormare). She suffers from a congenital eye disease which is gradually causing her to go blind. She is saving all her money in a tin can to pay for an operation which will prevent Gene from suffering the same affliction. Selma frequently falls into reveries involving elaborate musical theater numbers. When Bill steals all of her savings, Selma Björks out (with the help of a gun), seeking her own justice in a corrupt world. Dancer in the Dark is an intense and emotional experience in film. There are at least four good reasons to see this film:

1. Because this is Björk's only performance as an actress. In fact, she has described the process of making this film as so emotionally exhausting that she would never appear in another film. This means that the world may never see Björk in a swan dress at the Academy Awards again.

2. Because even as a chain smoking, world-weary factory worker in a head scarf, Catherine Deneuve is radiant.

3. Because this film is not Knocked Up. Although Dancer in the Dark received standing ovations and the Palme d'Or Award when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, it was panned by many American critics--which is reason enough to see this one-of-a-kind-not-your-typical-Hollywood film.

4. Because of the Selmasongs soundtrack, which includes a duet with Radiohead's Thom Yorke on the song "I've Seen It All." As with many of Björk's songs, the songs included in the soundtrack derive their rhythms from real-life "noise" (factory machines, a flag in the wind).

G. Merritt December 30, 2007

Never Before, Never Again : The Timelessness of "Dancer in the Dark"

When this film first released, I remember sitting in the almost empty movie hall, wondering why 'art' films weren't getting better audiences. And then, halfway through the film, I remember thinking : "I've never seen anything like this, and I never will". This movie is a unique, rare animal - no movie before or since it could ever capture its' essence, no film will ever touch you on such a primal level. "Schindler's List" comes close, but that was a historical telling.

Bjork Gudmundsdottir, Iceland's famous musician plays the lead role to perfection. She won the Cannes Award for Best Actress by this. The soundtrack of this movie alone is worth the full price. Its called "Selmasongs" - do try to get it, and try to get past the amazing song called 'New World' without breaking down.

From camera angles, to the musical score, to the plot, to the cast, everything here WORKS. Lars Von Trier made his masterpiece with this film, and since then has been unable to create anything remotely interesting or hard-hitting. Few films on earth are 'must-own', and this is certainly one of them. If you appreciate intelligent cinema that speaks of both personal beliefs in the political system and the world view, then this is tailor made for you.

Five Stars. Bjork delivers one of the greatest screen performances of all time, comparable to Arletty in "Les Enfants du Paradis". November 6, 2007

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