Everybody who is at least a little bit interested in the 'alternative' cinema and who is able to watch movies that don't necessarily need to contain a lot of big action shots, fast car chases or explosions, are already familiar with the name Lars von Trier. His name is some kind of label, a guarantee that the quality of the movie will be good, no matter how weird it may seem at first (think for instance of 'Dogville' which looked like a theater play). That's also why I already had this movie on my 'To-See'-list for so long. I really wanted to see it, but because it was never shown on television (this isn't the kind of movie the average commercial station wants to broadcast), I had to wait until today.
Selma is a Czechoslovakian immigrant who has moved to the USA in order to get specialized and very expensive eye surgery for her son Gene. She is a single mother who works day and night in a factory in order to raise enough money so she can save her son from the same disease she suffers from. Her vision is deteriorating fast, she will go blind soon and she knows that he will face the same faith unless he gets that crucial operation in a couple of months time. The only reason why she can cope with all that misery is because from time to time - even though it's only for a short moment - she pretends to be in the wonderful world of the musicals that she likes so much. But when a desperate neighbor falsely accuses her of stealing his savings and shots are fired, her life takes a dramatic turn...
Despite the fact that I was really looking forward to this movie, I was also a bit reluctant to watch it. That had nothing to do with my expectations. For once I didn't fear to end up disappointed, because I expected too much of it in advance. No, I had a few doubts about this movie because I knew this was some kind of musical and I'm not really a fan of that genre. Also the fact that Björk played a role in this movie didn't make me look forward to it. There are more singers who believe that they can act, but in reality are awful in it, and I feared the same might happen in this movie. But now that I've seen it I must admit that I was completely wrong to doubt about this movie. It was everything I wished for and even more.
The acting for instance - including the performance of Björk - was outstanding. But she wasn't the only surprise. Catherine Deneuve too was very nice and interesting in this movie. I can't remember ever having her seen in another non-French movie, but in English she is just as charming. Normally I would make a remark about her obvious accent, but you could also see her as just another immigrant who worked in the same factory. That's why it never bothered me. But not only the acting was good, so was the entire script. At first I had a problem with the musical parts (remember my difficulties with the genre), but as soon as I started to realize that this wasn't a depiction of the reality, but instead one of her day dreams, I must say that I liked it.
At first this movie seems to go for a happy ending, but that would have been a too easy option. Lars von Trier chose to give it a very powerful and emotional ending instead, but despite what you might fear, it's never corny. The entire script has been well-written, the acting is very good and offers some very nice surprises and the directing is perfect, although I'm convinced that some people might find it difficult to keep watching those nervous images that were shot with a hand-held camera. But don't let that be a reason not to watch this movie, because it is more than just a pleasant surprise. I give it a well-deserved 8/10.
Selma is a Czechoslovakian immigrant who has moved to the USA in order to get specialized and very expensive eye surgery for her son Gene. She is a single mother who works day and night in a factory in order to raise enough money so she can save her son from the same disease she suffers from. Her vision is deteriorating fast, she will go blind soon and she knows that he will face the same faith unless he gets that crucial operation in a couple of months time. The only reason why she can cope with all that misery is because from time to time - even though it's only for a short moment - she pretends to be in the wonderful world of the musicals that she likes so much. But when a desperate neighbor falsely accuses her of stealing his savings and shots are fired, her life takes a dramatic turn...
Despite the fact that I was really looking forward to this movie, I was also a bit reluctant to watch it. That had nothing to do with my expectations. For once I didn't fear to end up disappointed, because I expected too much of it in advance. No, I had a few doubts about this movie because I knew this was some kind of musical and I'm not really a fan of that genre. Also the fact that Björk played a role in this movie didn't make me look forward to it. There are more singers who believe that they can act, but in reality are awful in it, and I feared the same might happen in this movie. But now that I've seen it I must admit that I was completely wrong to doubt about this movie. It was everything I wished for and even more.
The acting for instance - including the performance of Björk - was outstanding. But she wasn't the only surprise. Catherine Deneuve too was very nice and interesting in this movie. I can't remember ever having her seen in another non-French movie, but in English she is just as charming. Normally I would make a remark about her obvious accent, but you could also see her as just another immigrant who worked in the same factory. That's why it never bothered me. But not only the acting was good, so was the entire script. At first I had a problem with the musical parts (remember my difficulties with the genre), but as soon as I started to realize that this wasn't a depiction of the reality, but instead one of her day dreams, I must say that I liked it.
At first this movie seems to go for a happy ending, but that would have been a too easy option. Lars von Trier chose to give it a very powerful and emotional ending instead, but despite what you might fear, it's never corny. The entire script has been well-written, the acting is very good and offers some very nice surprises and the directing is perfect, although I'm convinced that some people might find it difficult to keep watching those nervous images that were shot with a hand-held camera. But don't let that be a reason not to watch this movie, because it is more than just a pleasant surprise. I give it a well-deserved 8/10.