Rating: 
Summary: ...should be hung next to the Mona Lisa
Review: To me, movies are about entertainment. I happen to be entertained by a good story, good directing and good acting as opposed to how many things can be blow'd-up in under two hours, so there are a number of movies I have liked that didn't make it big at the USA box-office. But I liked even the best of those movies as entertainment, just entertainment. While Dancer in the Dark is immensely entertaining it is not just entertainment. It is art so good it should be hung next to the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. I have read many of the Amazon.com reviews, as well as others. Most agree that Bjork should have won an Oscar. I certainly agree with this. Many reviewers, however, did not appreciate the bold directing, the gritty camera work, the editing. The movie wouldn't have been possible without the directing being just as it was. Bjork's acting would have been wasted in a vehicle that was simply the story we start with. It was the directing, the cinematic technique in toto, that took this story and made it something that was big enough for Bjork's talent to fill. I will even go so far as to say that while there might be another actress who could have played Bjork's part, there is not another cinematic team who could have provided this vehicle. Having said this, one should appreciate what Bjork brought to the totality of the movie in addition to her acting the role of Selma. But make no mistake, this movie belongs equally to Lars von Trier and I'm not at all sure he's gotten the respect he deserves. I don't think I own a single video outside of something taped off the TV to be viewed at a later time. What's the point? But I will buy this one and I will feel privileged to have it.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVE YOU, BJORK!!!
Review: An absolute masterpiece!! One of a kind!! This film will stay with you forever. An interesting storyline, big exciting musical numbers and an incredibly emotional impact. Dancer In The Dark is very rewarding, you will not be disappointed (regardless of whether or not you prefer mainstream cinema). Can Bjork act?? Hell, YES!! Winner of Best Actoress at the European Film Awards... Oh, and take a wild guess at what movie won best picture... Some of the greatest films I've ever seen have come out of Europe. This is by far the greatest movie I've seen in years... After you've seen it, you won't feel the need to see another movie for weeks. See it!!! That's an order!!!
Rating:
Summary: One of the most brilliant films I've ever seen
Review: I was absolutely astounded by this movie. I saw it more than two weeks ago, and it still haunts me. It is a truly remarkable film. The camera editing works on so many levels, the musical numbers fit perfectly into the story, and Bjork's performance is magnificent. I was drawn into this film, and when it was over, I could not believe the miracle I had just viewed. It's almost impossible to explain, so all I can say is: at least rent it. Give this outstanding film a chance, and see if you're not as amazed as I was.
Rating:
Summary: Hands down, the most stunning film of 2000! BUY IT NOW!!!!!!
Review: I watched the DVD two days ago, and I still can't get it out of my head. The movie is absolute brilliance. It seems at first to take a while to get going, but all the little seemingly innocuous things that happen at the begining loom large at the end (which was the most harrowing film climax in many years). What really makes this movie is both the music and the acting of Bjork. If they were to have simple hired an actress, the film would not have worked. Bjork, however, didn't act the part. You can see that she actually FELT everything the charachter did. She didn't play Selma, she was Selma. This is the best DVD to be released so far this year. I also recommend getting the CD soundtrack "Selmasongs". The music is incredibly beautiful. While several reviews have brought up the travesty of Julia Roberts getting the Best Actress Oscar (and rightfully so), I thought Bjork losing in the Best Song category to Bob Dylan's latest incoherent warblings was disgusting.
Rating:
Summary: Very few movies have touched me so deeply...
Review: I will keep this short and sweet. Julia Roberts should be ashamed that she got the Oscar for "Blockbuster of the year" and not really her performance in that movie (Brokovich or whatever) because if the award was based on acting skills, Bjork is hands down, THE WINNER. If you are reading this and you have not seen the movie yet, Rent it! Buy it! Borrow it! It is simply breath taking. There is no Hollywood effects here, no fancy camera work, hype or special effects. Just raw emotions and an incredible performance by Bjork. This movie is not cheery (go see Julia in that film if you want cheery) but if you want something unique and raw, and have an open mind to music like Bjork, Tori Amos, PJ Harvey, Beck, Etc. then you CANNOT miss this film.
Rating: 
Summary: Believable?
Review: This review is obviously a negative one, the elements of the movie that were well done, and there were many, had no impact on me because the creators of this film seemed to have no concern as to whether anything in it was believable. Musicals need not be realistic, and the musical elements are good, but this movie is not really a musical, the musical elements are only internal fantasies of the heroine. The movie is a drama and it tries almost constantly and relententlessly to pull our emotinal cords but it is pushing on a string since it makes no effort to create any element of reality. I am not saying it fails in its attempt but rather makes no attempt. Obviously some reviewers were moved emotionally but it seems rather split. So the key suggestion I can make in this review is do not consider buying this movie, rent it and then decide. Since most customers of Amazon are primarily considering a purchase this should be the key feature of all reviews. If you do rent, rent the DVD. For if you fall into the non-believer camp the commentary by the director is comical. Matter of fact if you can't make it through the movie definitely switch to the commentary I found it a "giggle". "blinded by the light" - Jess
Rating:
Summary: This is a musical that reinvents the genre and then some!
Review: How can I even begin to descibe this film. It is brilliant and horrible at the same time. The worst part about this movie is that after watching it you feel as though you have been run over by a large truck. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It is not often that a movie really jolts you. I mean REALLY truly leaves you gutted. This one does. Lars Von Trier also manages to reinvent the musical. I don't want to give away tons of details, the film speaks for itself. I will say that it is CRIMINAL that Bjork's performance and this film was virtually ignored by the United States. Bjork became Selma and allowed the audience to experience her blissful passions and her tragic secrets, for that I am greatful.
Rating: 
Summary: Leaves you with a lasting impression
Review: I have to admit, the beginning of the movie really grated on my nerves with the shakey camera, Bjorks very unusual voice and behavior (acting), and the unexpected musical numbers popping up in strange places. After the movie, I was awstruck and just couldn't get the scenes or the music out of my head! I even have to admit, this movie has been one of the most emotionally impacting movies I have ever seen! Also, Bjork's voice is strangely enjoyable! Since watching this movie, I have gone out and bought all of her CDs. I just can't get enough of it!
Rating:
Summary: A great film that I may never be able to watch again.
Review: I will keep this short and simple. Honestly, I was highly effected by "Dancing in the Dark" and Bjork's performance. For someone who enjoys Bjork's music and personality this story will rip you apart. There is a certain amount of uniqueness that really shows up in the musical numbers. This could bother some people who are not used to Bjork type music. However, if you are a film love, a lover of good, well-told stories then you need to see "Dancing in the Dark." Take a chance on a wonderfull film. (If you don't watch this in widescreen, you only see half the film - you need to see ALL of the film.)
Rating:
Summary: Advice to Julia Roberts: DON'T SEE THIS MOVIE!
Review: I was annoyed by the camera work of von Trier's "Breaking the Waves" so I hesitated before renting the "Dancer in the Dark" VHS. It is a great testament to this film that I was transfixed for 2+ hours despite the annoying camera technique and the tunnel vision of the "modified to fit your televison" video format. It was the editing and camera technique that prevented me from giving 5 stars. Someone was wise enough to suppress the movement for the musical numbers, some of which, I confess actually made me giddy. It was brilliant to transform Selma's antagonists into smiling, singing dancers during the musical numbers. My first thought after the movie took the form of advice to Julia Roberts: DON'T SEE THIS FILM! You'll have to return your Oscar. Of course it would have been scandalous to give it to Bjork, wouldn't it?
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