Rating: 
Summary: Has Lars Von Trier lost his mind?
Review: Firstly let me say that Newline has done a fantastic job as usual, and it was nice to see all the extras.About the film. I've waited a really long time to see this film. I am a fan of both Bjork and Lars Von Trier, although sadly I left this film loyal to only Bjork. As has been said in every review this film has generated, her performance is absolutely brilliant. Her only problem is the film. This should have been a masterpiece and has moments of brilliance throughout, but it's as if Lar Von trier went out of his way to destroy it. My major problem is that it is relentlessly cruel for no apparent reason. It's hard to sympatise with a character that you are seeing exploited consistantly for no reason other than the director's entertainment. The film moves along perfectly until the courtroom scene. Not Selma's beautiful musical number, but Lar Von Trier's idiotic portrayal of American justice. I am not American, but I think if I were to exhibit such a limited, rediculous, almost soap operaish opinion of a foreign judicial system, I would expect to be branded an idiot also. What a shame he handled such an agenda in such a one eyed way. I was hypnotised by Bjork, and was red faced with embarrasment by the scripting in this section. In Von Trier's defense however, he can direct actors obviously as i doubt any actor could give such performances without someone holding the wheel. I guess my major problem is that the film tries so hard to be controversial and is about as provacative as a toothpaste commercial. You can't shock or inspire if the audience doesn't care. My 4 stars go to Bjork, and Selma who I did care about. I think Bjork against all odds made this film, if not for her it was a badly shot student video about women hating.
Rating: 
Summary: Astounding Performance By Bjork
Review: Altruism, benevolence, a mother's love for her son and pure, unadulterated evil are the key elements in one of the most dynamic and emotionally charged (as well as overlooked) films of the year (2000), "Dancer In the Dark," directed by Lars von Trier. Icelandic singer Bjork stars as Selma Yeskova, a single mother living in a small town in Washington State, who works in a factory to support herself and her ten-year-old son, Gene (Vladan Kostic). Selma works her fingers to the bone, taking double shifts and doing whatever she can to save enough money for an operation Gene will need when he turns thirteen to correct an inherited, genetic condition that will eventually rob him of his sight. And Selma knows only too well the effects of the disorder; even as she works towards accruing the sum needed for the operation, she is coping with the onset of her own imminent blindness. Besides her son, her one passion in life is movie musicals, which she has loved since she was a little girl; she grew up with them, and now it is to them that she turns in her mind when life closes in on her and threatens to become unbearable. When she is overwhelmed and overburdened, she hears music in the sounds of the factory and finds rhythm in the work. In the musicals she finds the respite from concern she needs to carry on, escaping to a place where "nothing dreadful ever happens." Set in 1964 against a backdrop of the beautiful rural Pacific Northwest, the content of von Trier's film is so real and it is so visually engrossing that at times it's like watching a home video. And it makes you more than merely an observer of Selma's life; you become involved. You share the joy of a mother watching her son ride his first bicycle; you sense the "community" of her friends and co-workers who help make her life bearable. Von Trier successfully manages to avoid any maudlin sentimentality, and instead tells the story in a voice that is straightforward and creates an intense, emotionally complex and memorable film that ultimately takes you to a place that, in the beginning, you would never have dreamed possible. In a way, it all sneaks up on you, until suddenly you find yourself caught up and swept away in an emotional torrent. Discovering a great film is always exciting (and without question this is one), but when it includes an astounding new talent, as well, it is indeed a thrill. And such is the case here. For as Selma, Bjork quite simply gives one of the best performances of the year, and how she got passed over for an Oscar nomination is beyond me. A gifted individual, she brings subtle nuance to the character, and conveys a humanity of singular depth that makes Selma, and the fact that she is so adamant in her undertaking, more than real and believable. That the viewer is able to be drawn in and affected on such a personal level with this film is a direct result of Bjork's natural ability as an actress. Granted, von Trier led the way, and her co-stars (especially David Morse, in a terrific performance as her friend, Bill) provided invaluable support, but the real connection this film makes with audience is through-- and because of-- Bjork. The supporting cast includes Catherine Deneuve (Kathy), Peter Stormare (Jeff), Udo Kier (Dr. Porkorny), Joel Grey (Oldrich Novy), Vincent Paterson (Samuel), Cara Seymour (Linda) and Stellan Skarsgard (Doctor). Much of the strength of von Trier's film lies in the implied, as well as the overt aspects of it, and in the end, "Dancer In the Dark" will leave you with many things to ponder for some time to come, especially concerning those "gray areas" of the human condition. Rationale, motivation, the distorted priorities to which it seems so many people are prone, as well as proof of the existence of true goodness that many do, in fact, carry in their hearts. Emotionally devastating, this is a film that demands reflection. Unfortunately, it raises many questions to which--just as in real life-- there are simply no real answers.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Film Worthy of my First Review
Review: When I first heard that Björk was making a movie, I began counting down the days until it came out on video. All I had heard was that the movie was "beautiful" and "disturbing", and they were right all the way. Björk does a commanding, ethereal, and yet startingly human performance in her role of Selma, and her supporting actors and actresses are equally as good. I was particularly stirred by Selma's reactions to her trials and hardships, to which anyone, especially mothers, can relate: she was not overly strong, only did what she had to, and struggled to do the rest. Many people have complained about the camera use in the movie, and these are probably the same people who complained about the cameras in The Blair Witch Project. I see the rough simplicity as necessary, and the Technicolor musical numbers worked very effectively, though as the movie went on they became sadder and more pathetic. This film is generally flawless, and I found nothing I disliked. It is painful and heartbreaking to watch, but I have been haunted by it ever since, and upon even listening to the soundtrack I am again brought to tears. Dancer in the Dark is only for those who have an appreciation for the arts, and the classic form of the tragedy.
Rating:
Summary: Best movie of 2000. Bjork should have won the oscar.
Review: This movie..almost like a documentary...takes you into the life of Selma, played by the wonderful almost childlike actress Bjork. Who really took me into this world. I loved everything..every single detail, every camera angle, and the musical. Sure it is a heart breaking film, but it is powerful and funny in the beginning. Without a doubt this movie ranks up at the top with American Beauty. Beautiful. Bjork you should have won the oscar, but I'm glad she will go back in music. She has the best female voice and is ahead of our time.
Rating:
Summary: The unrelentlingly harsh brilliance of genius
Review: I admit it, this is by far the saddest movie I have ever seen, and a level of saddness I never felt possible before seing it. Anyone who could complain about such things as a wobbly camera and bleached-out color are clearly missing the point, and focusing far to closely on a small detail of a masterpiece. The movie focuses on the harshness of extreme realism. Life is not brushed up with cinematographic sequences, it does not have a clever score, and it certainly does not have a steady camera and viewpoint to record it all. But life is beautiful all the same. Life is beautiful because without it there is no art, no musicals. The musical sequences are the romantic idealistic break from and fuel for life itself. Only by contrasting the steady, bright, livid musical scenes with the documentary-like remainder of the movie is the full extent of both realized. Its hard to explain how it works but it just does. The movie is not badly edited, as can be seen from the musical scenes that any such "bad cuts" were intentional. The characterization of Selma and her downfall were perfectly done. Selma is not a genius, she gives the few gifts she has willingly to all who ask for them, but she continues to work hard and never complains. She is child-like in some ways, but very experienced in others. Before her part, I never really believed that an actor could contribute to a film, that someone else could do just as good a job, but Bjork is amazing. Her music is not as catchy as some, but it is hypnotizing. Bjork is smiling happily one minute, crying the next, but through most of the movie cheerful and giving through the worst events possible. Bjork IS Selma. All the supporting characters are good too. In conclusion this is a really good movie. If you don't like sad things, you won't like this, but if you can handle it you really should see this movie. It should have been much better recognized at the Oscars, and it really sucks that it only got like one nomination. From now on I'm paying more attention to both Lars von Trier and the Cannes Film Festival!
Rating: 
Summary: piece of dreck
Review: this was the only film my wife and I walked out of last year.We can endure alot , but the constant camera movement started making us sick. This is an unrelentingly depressing movie.The factory where Bjork works makes the one in Schindler's List look like a summer camp. I kept waiting for Bjprk or one of her co-workers to accidently put their arms under a drop press during one of their inexplicable dance numbers on the factory floor. In addition to the strange subject and wobbely camera work, the movie features bleached out color and inept editing.
Rating:
Summary: A world i never hope to know
Review: The world Selma lives in is sad and depressing. Her eye sight is slowly disappearing and her world is growing dark. The film reflects this by looking very dull, except of course when Selma (played by Bjork) is daydreaming her a life she couldn't have, one in a musical. Throughout the film, she is forced to give up everything because of her fleeding sight, and the people who wish to take advantage of her. I really think I need to buy this movie after I rented it last night. I really cant get the utter beauty of the film out of my head. Its quite artsy and has a lot of hidden meaning, so beware of that before you sit down to watch all 2 1/2 hours of it. Overall, it may be the best movie Ive seen all year.
Rating:
Summary: A fine film, but it left me depressed and sad.
Review: Starring Bjork, who also happens to be a pop star in her own country of Iceland, this disturbing and sad video released just last year, should have won more awards than it did. Written and directed by Lars Von Trier, from Denmark, it is a creative departure from anything Hollywood has ever seen. It's shot with hand held cameras in natural light and the story is itself an overblown melodrama. Bjork is cast as a simpleminded Czech immigrant who has come to the United States to earn enough money to save money for an operation for her young son to prevent him from the inherited blindness that is fast taking over her life. She also is rehearsing in a drama club's production of The Sound of Music and is totally enamoured with Hollywood musicals. Her acting is outstanding, and she wins the hearts of the audience. That's why it is so painful to watch the awful things that happen to her over and over again and finally result in an ultimate tragic end. The film, however, is not just about her predicament. It is also about the American dream and Hollywood musicals. Throughout the movie, and often in the middle of the saddest parts, the light shifts and everyone breaks into song and dance. I know that the director was trying to make an artistic statement here, but it didn't work for me. I was annoyed at these parts and bored by the musical interlude. And the jarring effect of the inappropriateness of these musical numbers made the film even more depressing for me. At 140 minutes the film was too long although it held my interest throughout. I was constantly saddened and found myself weeping at the end. And so even though I can see this was a fine video, I can recommend it only those film aficionados who are intrigued by the concept. But be prepared to find yourself depressed and shaken at the end.
Rating:
Summary: Art over entertainment...
Review: Don't listen to any reviewers of this film, good or bad (I'm aware of the irony). It's a film you most definately have to explore and understand for yourself. Most of the lower-scoring reviewers obviously either didn't understand the movie, or couldn't see through the melancholy overtones that are actually an integral part of the story. Regarding the 'low-film quality', what this is, is streight DV footage, which hasn't had a film-grain effect applied over the top to give that 'hollywood polish'. Also the camera feels like it is being held by a reporter. These scenes are the 'reality' scenes, and are PURPOSEFULLY shot that way, to convey a sense of the film being 'immediate'. When the 'musical' scenes begin, the colors brighten, a professional camera is used and the screen has that dynamic look to it. I guess when things aren't spelled out with special effects and cheesy dialogue a film will always have to deal with the people it was never meant to reach. So, to those who won't ever understand movies like this one, the movie is not negative. Sad things happen but Selmas life is a musical, she is a positive centre in an impossible world.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Bjork music video - poor film
Review: This movie at first thought I liked. The actors were good, Bjork does an excellent job, and the story itself was fair. The more I thought about the awful direction though the more I disliked the film. I bought the DVD just to add to more Bjork video collection but I doubt I will suffer through this film one more time. The camera work I guess was supposed to be life like and give the actors room but to me it was a headache and a cop out. When camera work becomes so noticable that it is a camera bobing up and down, it is no longer lending a life like quality to the film. Perhaps I missed the point. Anyway... this film is generally a love it or hate it affair. I am in the middle.
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