Melancholia

Melancholia

Inspired by a depressive period in writer/director Lars von Trier's own life, "Melancholia" captures the illness with such authenticity, it becomes palpable. Despite its heavy subject, the visually stunning film is incredibly inspiring and transcending. "Melancholia" centers around a bride (indie princess Kirsten Dunst in her best performance to date) on the night of her wedding and the days that follow, as she and her family — her pragmatic sister is played beautifully by Charlotte Gainsbourg — learn about a large planet called Melancholia which is on a collision course with the Earth. The rawly emotional film is deeply existential without being intellectual, yet its imagery — every scene mise en place like a painting — is uplifting in its beauty: two moons in a night sky, a girl bathing nude in the moonlight... Yes, von Trier can be heavy-handed ("Dancer in the Dark," "Dogville"), but he delivers a moviegoing experience with lasting impact. Just remember to take a breath every so often.