Movie Review: Dancer in the Dark

Story: Superlatives don't come easy. It is a lot simpler to write a bad movie review than a good one. Run - don't walk (or dance) to see this incredible film. I believe that cinema should elicit some reaction from the viewer. Sometimes the reactions come through as fear, sadness, thoughtfulness, laughter or surprise. This film has it all and more. Director and writer Lars von Trier (Breaking the Waves - one of my all time favorites) has given us a rare cinematic treat.

It is Seattle, 1964, where the selfless immigrant Selma is going blind. She works herself to exhaustion in a factory where she is saving her hard earned money for an operation to spare her 12 year old son a similar genetic fate. Saving a lot of details, she is robbed, accused of murder and put on death row. Her hopeful escapist mentality has allowed her to fantasize wonderfully elaborate musical numbers where life is a Busby Berkeley musical. Her encroaching blindness has opened the door to this vivid imaginary life. The film combines the tragedy of grand opera with the leap of faith silliness of a Hollywood production number.

It was awarded Best Film in this year's Cannes Festival and Bjork was awarded Best Actress for her role as Selma - deservedly so. The movie is unique on many levels - I was riveted. I loved it!

Acting: Bjork, the 34 year old Icelandic singer-songwriter deserves as many awards as she can carry for this performance. Catherine Deneuve, as her surrogate mother, was just wonderful. It is hard to imagine her as a factory worker - but she pulled it off. David Morse, as the heavy, was understated and terrific. Everyone in the cast worked and added to the depth of the film.

Visual Art: The opening sequence was an interesting work of art.

Soundtrack: Fabulous. Bjork wrote the music and von Trier wrote the lyrics. Haunting stuff.

Theater Audience: I was shocked to see a crowd at a Monday, 12:30 show. All ages, mostly male, a few couples, lots of singles, people of all colors, all apparently not at work. Interesting to note that not one person moved for at least two minutes at the end of the film. And many people sat through all of the credits. (My kind of crowd.)

Quirky Meter: 5

Tissue Usage: Bring a pack.

Oscar Worthy: Yes, yes, yes!

Nit Picking Quotient: It is supposed to take place in Seattle. I don't think so. Von Trier has never even been to America. The whole film was shot in Sweden.

Length: 15 minutes over the 2 hour LOBO rule. It is such a good film I let it go. No penalty. No deduction.

LOBO HOWLS: A whopping 9.5