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Lars Von Trier: I'm a huge fan and will always be. That, unfortunately, causes hugely enhanced expectations when a new film comes out.
Contrary to all other Von Trier films, I just couldn't get into the storyline as I wished.
Without giving too much away, most of the situations felt oddly artificial, and the smart manicured dialog felts contrived and at the same time too theatrical - almost as if it were too aware of its lustrous shine as the main star of the show.
The scene with Uma Thurman is painful to watch - what a lame interpretation, what out-of- place demure. What was meant to portrait the absurdity of the situation instead felt like an Opera Buffa, unfolding through painful takes. Made me look around to see if someone had quickly changed the film roll during one of the cuts.
Some typical Von Trier traces are immediately recognizable (and welcome) for the fan: mixed media to accentuate inner feelings and capitulation, powerful music, and the sprinkle of the odd galactic scenes.
On a positive note, the films smartly leaves you hanging at a cliff and flashes a few upcoming scenes from part 2, which seem extremely seductive and worth going in for another go.
I wish I could have just sat through the full 5h and take my appetizer (part 1) immediately followed by the main course (part 2).
Lars Von Trier: I'm a huge fan and will always be. That, unfortunately, causes hugely enhanced expectations when a new film comes out.
Contrary to all other Von Trier films, I just couldn't get into the storyline as I wished.
Without giving too much away, most of the situations felt oddly artificial, and the smart manicured dialog felts contrived and at the same time too theatrical - almost as if it were too aware of its lustrous shine as the main star of the show.
The scene with Uma Thurman is painful to watch - what a lame interpretation, what out-of- place demure. What was meant to portrait the absurdity of the situation instead felt like an Opera Buffa, unfolding through painful takes. Made me look around to see if someone had quickly changed the film roll during one of the cuts.
Some typical Von Trier traces are immediately recognizable (and welcome) for the fan: mixed media to accentuate inner feelings and capitulation, powerful music, and the sprinkle of the odd galactic scenes.
On a positive note, the films smartly leaves you hanging at a cliff and flashes a few upcoming scenes from part 2, which seem extremely seductive and worth going in for another go.
I wish I could have just sat through the full 5h and take my appetizer (part 1) immediately followed by the main course (part 2).