Melancholia (2011) is a doomsday view of what might happen, if a planet named Melancholia is heading towards Earth on a possible collision course. Writer and director, Lars von Trier, uses a cast of characters to explore how each person might deal with the coming impeding doom. Denial or utter terror. Lars' inspiration in writing the film came after recovering from a depressive episode.
The movie begins with an ominous, long orchestral opening score with what seems like flashbacks of disaster foreshadowed. The movie rewinds to Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and Michael's (Alexander Skarsgård) wedding. They are in a limousine after the nuptials, heading to the reception being given and paid for by Justine's very wealthy brother - in - law, John (Kiefer Sutherland) at the country club and golf course he owns.
The bride and groom are late to the reception, because their driver gets stuck on a back country road, where we are led to assume, the newly married couple have been canoodling in the back of the parked limousine. The driver has difficulty turning around on the narrow country road. The happy couple are kissing, laughing and helping the driver turn the car around.
Once they arrive at the venue late, the happy mood turns somber. Justine's sister, Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg), informs them they are two hours late and people have been waiting. So, they were canoodling in the limousine for 2 hours?!? Justine looks into the sky and notices that the red star has disappeared. John is amazed she can see it at all. Then, Justine decides to visit the horse she rides daily in the stables and introduce said horse to her new husband before going into the wedding reception. This frustrates John and Claire further.
Once they finally move inside to their wedding guest, the party begins and the drama ensues. Justine is very happy until she starts to encounter the people at the wedding reception. Her father, Dexter (John Hurt) is sitting between two much younger women, both named Betty (Charlotta Miller, Claire Miller). He is relentlessly flirting with them both. He seems to have more time for them than his daughter. We meet Justine's boss and Michaels friend, Jack (Stellan Skarsgård), who reveals he is there to give Justine a promotion in his advertising firm and to get a much needed tagline for an ad campaign from Justine before she leaves on her honeymoon. Which shows he cannot run his business without her around. This annoys Justine to no end.
Her mother, Gaby (Charlotte Rampling), is not keen on the idea of marriage and lets everyone know, in a public speech, that Justine is making a mistake even getting married at all. This after Justine's father makes a speech and disparages his ex - wife publicly. So, no love lost between her parents. Oh, the joy of family. Yet, Michael's father (Charlotte Rampling) and mother, (Deborah Fronko), seem relatively normal greeting them with hugs and kisses. Justine's young nephew, Leo (Cameron Spurr), is also very happy for the couple.
Claire and John argue about keeping Justine in line. John then insults his wife by asking, if anyone in her family is actually not crazy. Thus, establishing there is more drama to come. Conversations about the passing of the planet Melancholia come up sporadically, so it is definitely on everyone's mind.
As the evening progresses and the family dramas pile up with negative comments directly mostly at Justine, she starts to become depressed. She tries to escape the party more than once. They have to keep tracking her down to stay on schedule. This frustrates the wedding planner (Udo Kier) and butler (Jesper Christensen) immensely. That is when we realize Justine has depression. She is trying hard to stay engaged with everyone at the reception and act "as if" she is happy, but as the family drama and boss drama continues, she is starting to go down hill.
Everyone is very aware of how much time they may have left and they do not want to waste a minute. While some may still be in denial that the planet Melancholia is heading toward earth, others are very aware of the current situation. They may be dealing with it calmly or not.
John quotes scientists who say Melancholia will pass by and this calms his nerves. Claire is leans towards what the conspirators say, that the planets are definitely going to collide and their days are numbered. Justine seems to be able to see the future and know exactly what is going to happen, but is staying mum. Even though you get the feeling she knows far more than the rest. She keeps an eye on the stars in the sky to see which planets Melancholia is wiping out on it's path of destruction. While Leo is just a kid who holds out hope that his father and the scientists are correct.
Melancholia is a view into a future we might all have to face. There have been stories over the years that planet Earth may be hit and destroyed by a meteor or a planet knocked off it's orbit. This movie takes a realistic look on how people may deal with it. Those dealing with mental health issues in their past or present, may in the end have better coping skills to deal with real tragedy. While people we think might be the strongest in the end, could be the weakest when faced with impending doom. They may be able to hold it together under their veil of denial in everyday life, but when real tragedy comes close to home, they lose their cool.
The movie is a lesson in strength, sanity and acceptance over things you cannot control. Like planets hurling themselves toward earth. A definite statement on the human condition. It is not your typical sci -fi drama, but it definitely hooks you in until the end.
The movie begins with an ominous, long orchestral opening score with what seems like flashbacks of disaster foreshadowed. The movie rewinds to Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and Michael's (Alexander Skarsgård) wedding. They are in a limousine after the nuptials, heading to the reception being given and paid for by Justine's very wealthy brother - in - law, John (Kiefer Sutherland) at the country club and golf course he owns.
The bride and groom are late to the reception, because their driver gets stuck on a back country road, where we are led to assume, the newly married couple have been canoodling in the back of the parked limousine. The driver has difficulty turning around on the narrow country road. The happy couple are kissing, laughing and helping the driver turn the car around.
Once they arrive at the venue late, the happy mood turns somber. Justine's sister, Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg), informs them they are two hours late and people have been waiting. So, they were canoodling in the limousine for 2 hours?!? Justine looks into the sky and notices that the red star has disappeared. John is amazed she can see it at all. Then, Justine decides to visit the horse she rides daily in the stables and introduce said horse to her new husband before going into the wedding reception. This frustrates John and Claire further.
Once they finally move inside to their wedding guest, the party begins and the drama ensues. Justine is very happy until she starts to encounter the people at the wedding reception. Her father, Dexter (John Hurt) is sitting between two much younger women, both named Betty (Charlotta Miller, Claire Miller). He is relentlessly flirting with them both. He seems to have more time for them than his daughter. We meet Justine's boss and Michaels friend, Jack (Stellan Skarsgård), who reveals he is there to give Justine a promotion in his advertising firm and to get a much needed tagline for an ad campaign from Justine before she leaves on her honeymoon. Which shows he cannot run his business without her around. This annoys Justine to no end.
Her mother, Gaby (Charlotte Rampling), is not keen on the idea of marriage and lets everyone know, in a public speech, that Justine is making a mistake even getting married at all. This after Justine's father makes a speech and disparages his ex - wife publicly. So, no love lost between her parents. Oh, the joy of family. Yet, Michael's father (Charlotte Rampling) and mother, (Deborah Fronko), seem relatively normal greeting them with hugs and kisses. Justine's young nephew, Leo (Cameron Spurr), is also very happy for the couple.
Claire and John argue about keeping Justine in line. John then insults his wife by asking, if anyone in her family is actually not crazy. Thus, establishing there is more drama to come. Conversations about the passing of the planet Melancholia come up sporadically, so it is definitely on everyone's mind.
As the evening progresses and the family dramas pile up with negative comments directly mostly at Justine, she starts to become depressed. She tries to escape the party more than once. They have to keep tracking her down to stay on schedule. This frustrates the wedding planner (Udo Kier) and butler (Jesper Christensen) immensely. That is when we realize Justine has depression. She is trying hard to stay engaged with everyone at the reception and act "as if" she is happy, but as the family drama and boss drama continues, she is starting to go down hill.
Everyone is very aware of how much time they may have left and they do not want to waste a minute. While some may still be in denial that the planet Melancholia is heading toward earth, others are very aware of the current situation. They may be dealing with it calmly or not.
John quotes scientists who say Melancholia will pass by and this calms his nerves. Claire is leans towards what the conspirators say, that the planets are definitely going to collide and their days are numbered. Justine seems to be able to see the future and know exactly what is going to happen, but is staying mum. Even though you get the feeling she knows far more than the rest. She keeps an eye on the stars in the sky to see which planets Melancholia is wiping out on it's path of destruction. While Leo is just a kid who holds out hope that his father and the scientists are correct.
Melancholia is a view into a future we might all have to face. There have been stories over the years that planet Earth may be hit and destroyed by a meteor or a planet knocked off it's orbit. This movie takes a realistic look on how people may deal with it. Those dealing with mental health issues in their past or present, may in the end have better coping skills to deal with real tragedy. While people we think might be the strongest in the end, could be the weakest when faced with impending doom. They may be able to hold it together under their veil of denial in everyday life, but when real tragedy comes close to home, they lose their cool.
The movie is a lesson in strength, sanity and acceptance over things you cannot control. Like planets hurling themselves toward earth. A definite statement on the human condition. It is not your typical sci -fi drama, but it definitely hooks you in until the end.
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Watch it for free on Tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/453662/melancholia?tracked=1
Watch it for free on Tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/453662/melancholia?tracked=1
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