Rating: 
Summary: Ow!
Review: If you like being emotionally clobbered over the head with a digital camcorder, this one's for you.
Rating: 
Summary: a "skewing" of the genre has more hits than misses
Review: Dancer in the Dark (2000), is a tragic musical (if there was not such a thing prior to this film, there is now) starring pop pixie Bjork. Unlike traditional musicals with glitz, costumes, bearded Jewish men overcoming strife and poverty to bring their families love and happiness, and little children with British nannies learning how to value people over price tags, Lars von Trier shows us how a very unassuming immigrant, Selma (Bjork) is in some ways saved by the pictures pirouetted into her heart, beat after precious beat. I'm still deciding if she can act, or if it was the direction that gave her such a powerful performance. Regardless, Dancer in the Dark is a presentation of a woman about as far away from Julie Andrews' vast repertoire as one can get.The story seems a retelling of The Gift of the Magi, only with vignettes of musical numbers, representing escape for Selma as she works her fingers to the bone, scrimping and saving her American dollars for one lofty and personal purpose. Devoid of vision, Selma is an astute listener, seeing Babes in Arms in a factory floor late at night. But why do they burst into song all the time? Musicals, despite the bad rap they receive, were the first live theatrical animals. In fact, non-musical play actors were shunned. In life, emotion is often too great to exist and be shared with simple words. Using one's voice in song, or body in dance expresses a myriad of feelings, thoughts, and cadences unique to the genre. The use of these flights of fancy in Dancer in the Dark are from Selma's perspective. The sounds of life as her orchestra allow her to create a safe and "dread-less" reality, as her own world is crashing around her. No longer able to work, and robbed of her only dream: to save her son the same sightless plight, she makes the ultimate sacrifice. Raw, throbbing, primal, and deep are the woes and decisions Bjork hands us here. WIth a supporting cast that never misses a beat, cruelly so at times, we are in agony as the final scene fades to the musical credits. At times overlong in tangent, some songs do not further the story as they should, becoming repetitive and distracting, the overall look of the piece is perfect. The use of hand-held camera, close-ups on eyes and objects, all bring us into a mind that never sees her surroundings as one cohesive pattern. It's not a happy film. Life is not always like the movies. Life is never just what we see. 7.5/10*
Rating: 
Summary: Very Hard Watching
Review: This is the most 'honest' film I've ever watched. The home-video effect, while really dizzy for me at least, gave the movie a very direct, straightforward quality that polished shots will never have. It makes you feel as if you're the one watching and filming the entire event with a camera. It brings you into the movie, as if you were there, holding the video camera, so much so that it really draws out your emotions and sympathy. Bjork's singing adds yet another layer of feelings onto a movie already fraught with tension. I listened to the album 'Selmasongs' before I watched "Dancer", but when I heard the songs in the film again, they took on a new life. Especially 'A New World' which Selma sings at the end of the film, which is just about the most unforgiving, rawest scene I've ever seen, set off perfectly by Bjork's stunning voice and lyrics. Hearing the song in its original setting made me fall in love with Bjork's singing all over again. The film has been reviewed as being satiric, somewhat political (ie, anti-american?) etc, but for me it simply stripped the reality of life down to its barest essence: hope, perseverence, betrayal. Put the trappings (setting, plot, camera work etc) aside, just focus on the film as it is: a very raw, painful portrayal of life and living and it'll eat your heart out. It was so emotionally draining watching it that I had to stop the VCD at least a dozen times just so I could pause for breath, and still I could hardly bear to watch the betrayal scene. But it was worth it in the end and I wouldn't have missed it for anything.
Rating:
Summary: A true masterpiece of cinema and the heart
Review: The director of this amazing film, Lars von Trier is masterful at telling simple stories with emotion and heart. His last two big films, Breaking the Waves and Dogville along with this one have proven that. The acting is raw, powerful and tender beyond words. No one has been able to captire goodness as well as Bjork does in this film. To see her face smile or frown brings the viewer up to the same emotions and while one may be exhausted at the film's conclusion, it is a journey well worth taking. The musical scenes are fantastic and they truly do serve the story and move it forward. Without them, the film would be less than what it is. This has to be one of the most depressing films of all time and yet because of the positive outlook it has on life, could be one of the most positive too.
The dvd is excellent with two very good commentaries, trailer and documentaries detailing the process of this complicated film.
Rating:
Summary: Bjork is absolutely amazing in this great film!
Review: Bjork has great acting skills. The movie is brilliant but the ending is extremely hard to watch. Especially for Bjork fans! I did not appreciate what Lars Von Trior did with Selma's character at the end of the movie. The music is fascinating and made me want to get Bjork's "Selmasongs" the soundtrack to Dancer in the Dark. Bjork is such a wonderful singer. The choreography is really good and Bjork's voice is just beautiful! This is a great movie for anyone who loves musicals or dramas. Bjork fans may find it very unconfortable to watch the end of this film. I am a huge fan of Bjork, as long as her acting was outstanding and the music was great I was fine with the movie. Although I have watched the movie several times I cannot watch the ending to it ever again. The special features are also great that are added to the DVD.
Rating:
Summary: This movie invites you to have a wonderful film experience
Review: I really loved this movie. After watching this movie, I came to the conclusion that I just couldn't watch it another time. Not because it's a bad movie, but because of how emotionally draining it is (reading the reviews, I've found I'm not the only one who reacted this way to the movie). The acting was so good and the movie was produced so well that it pulled me in completely. I was completely drained after this movie. I don't cry when watching movies, but I was balling after seeing this one. Even after stepping away from the film, I watched it about two weeks ago; I almost come to tears just talking about it. I couldn't even explain the movie to anyone because I would begin to cry. Bjork does such a great job of bringing Selma alive that you fall in love with her during the course of the movie. You feel like a friend that is standing by. Because of that, the movie was so emotional for me. I couldn't stand to see what my friend was going through. The story of the movie was great. They really thought it through because when I stepped away from the film, it just continued to make more and more sense to me. The story was strong, and the writing was excellent. It was so innovative how they incorporated music into this movie. The musical aspect of it just added more depth and personality to Selma. I felt like I was entering a portal into Selma's mind when the music began. The musical aspect of it wasn't cheesy at all; it was so creative. The acting was superb. It was like every actor in this movie fully became his or her character. I'm a huge fan of Bjork, but during the movie I didn't remember I was watching Bjork star in a movie at all; I was just watching Selma. The entire supporting cast did an excellent job of portraying his or her character. Talk about complete suspension of disbelief. I was in the movie entirely; felt the movie's emotions completely. The direction was solid and unique. The way they chose to shoot the movie was very, very neat. The camera angles and editing were really original. I honestly credit the direction and movie style for creating that portal into that world. Most movies make you feel like you are watching a movie, but this movie made you feel like you entered that world at that time. I would highly recommend this film to everyone. This movie allowed me to have a truly wonderful movie experience. This is only one of two movies that touched me so deep, that stayed with me long after the show was over, that drew me in so completely. I must say this, when I first started watching the movie I was singing a completely different tune. During the beginning of the movie, I didn't realize that everything I was seeing was very much in tune with the whole story line (I didn't know anything about this movie when I got it). Then I came to this site, read some good reviews, and decided to go ahead and finish this movie. So don't be discouraged with it too quickly. Give it a chance, and most likely you'll find the treasure that I did. fatti
Rating:
Summary: Satire or Passion story?
Review: Having watched this 'experiment' of a film twice (the second time, I truly had to force myself), it is quite difficult to write a review of it. Despite it's power to move you (and it will, trolls included!), Dancer in the Dark is a hard film to recommend. Instead, it is rather something to be experienced, a rite of passage to better understand the magic a camera can create. Sure, there are other, better films that exude such magic, but Dancer goes the distance in forcing you to react. It is, as one reviewer aptly called it, 'an assualt to the senses.' Not in pornographic effect, but by playing on your gut-reactions. For two and half hours, your world is thrown topsy-turvy. Things can't be THAT bad, but still you let yourself be pulled in as you suffer along until the harrowing end. Like Von Trier's other film, Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark is a story of unbelievable injustice. Once again, innocence is violated by the base and cynical. And once again, the power of love prevails. For it is indeed a mighty power. And a hungry god who demands a mighty sacrifice. Von Trier's plot is simple. Selma Jeskova (Bjork) is the epitome of immigrant innocence lured by the American myth. Everybody singing and dancing their way to a shinier, happier future. Dream or delusion? For Selma, maybe both. Gradually falling into complete blindness, Selma cheats on eye exams in order to stay at work. Work meaning the archetypal American factory, where production is the supreme value. This little Czech waif slaves away night and day in order to fulfill her American dream. A sight-saving operation for her bike-crazy son, Gene, so that he won't suffer the same fate as his mother. The characters around Selma are as deliberate and predictable as the story itself. Kathy (Catherine Deneuve) is the wise, old friend who tries to shelter Selma from the reality around her. And there's the Our Town simpleton, Jeff (Peter Stormore), who waits for Selma every day after work in hopes of making a way into her heart. And of course the neighbors, the smiling models of small-town virtue, policeman Bill (David Morse) and his deceitful wife, Linda. Everything is Pleasantville until Bill and Linda show their cards. Behind their suburban wholesomeness lies a pandora's box of dysfunction: greed, cynical materialism and suicidal thoughts. Bill's debts force him to ask Selma for a loan. Selma, fully empathetic, sweetly refuses and then Bill violates their relationship. He robs Selma of her treasure and then the sheep begin to show their teeth.......the 'good' people turn against Selma and slowly her dreamworld is flipped upside down. False charges, guilty verdict and then Golgotha in the state penitentiary. Same theme as in Breaking the Waves and Dogville. Innocence is thrown to the pigs and left to a grim fate. But while such innocence may lose every battle, it will gain the final victory. Dancer is no different. Selma's American dream will come true. Gene will have the operation. But at the highest price. Selma, like Bess in Breaking, points us to higher ground with her sacrifice. Unbelievable, yes. Effective, yes......but at a cost. The cost of believability. Each character with the grand exception of Selma is one dimensional. They are strictly mouthpieces for virtue and vice. Motivation is no where to be seen nor felt. Selma---thanks to Bjork's stunning debut performance---shows more of who she is and why she acts the way she does.....fatherless and addicted to her mission, Gene is her raison d'etre. The hope for a brighter future. The American Dream, which Von Trier quietly mocks throughout the film. Understood as a satire, the film does reach its goal, albeit with great exaggeration. Von Trier hits you over the head with the little lies woven into the tapestry of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.....our superficial niceties, performance mania, mindless quest for more, bigger and better....it is all in there. Irritating and uncomfortable as it may be, you can't help but nod your head in agreement. Yet, Bjork's stunning musical inserts give hope that the power and goodness of the Dream is still stronger than its many glaring shortcomings. While Dancer in the Dark might be one of the most exasperating pieces of cinematic manipulation, it is not with its merits. Those looking to be brow-beaten into a rare catharsis, should look no further.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie Great Music
Review: This is one of those movies that has such a powerful ending that it leaves you breathless. Bjork plays a single mother going blind working at a factory. she is trying to raise enough money to get her son an operation(he is going blind as well). When a friend betrasy her she does something that will chaneg her life forever. i am not going to give anymore away. you will either love or hate this movie. The soundtrack is great too. recommended
Rating:
Summary: OK, I must be a troll.
Review: I got dizzy from the loopy camera work (sorry, I have artsyphobia) and turned the video off after 15 minutes. The actors looked like they were trying to think of their lines (or make them up as they went along). The thought of another 2 hours of that numbed my mind but not enough to forget where the rewind button is.
Rating:
Summary: rent this 1 before buying
Review: You will either believe this to be the best or worst movie you have ever seen. I am a Bjork fan. I love her music. I even believe that she is an adequate actress. However....she was in (in my opinion) an impossible to watch movie. The "groundbreaking" camera work was intolerable, the sound bad, the lighting poor, the storie contrived, the acting weak, the ending disturbing.
I give this one 1 star, only because I like Bjork.
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