Wordiezett So much average

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

kofila I have always had this ability to feel movies as they were real. To embrace the environment, empathize with the characters, put myself in there... For that reason I am very careful with my movies and film projection is still very big deal to me. Sometimes it is very hard to get in it due to the film's quality or genre but sometimes it takes no effort at all but can crush my very core. And that is what happened to me while watching Dancer in the Dark. I was eleven when I saw it... I have never seen it since... It has been eighteen years and yet I vividly remember so many scenes, the atmosphere, the feeling it gave me... This film was so heavy on my mind I couldn't go on living my life as before. It took all of my hope, my will to live, to have fun, to fall in love... It took me probably two years to get from beneath this terrible dark cloud of despair but I feel it really changed me as a human being. Made me feel more for people in need and even though this whole experience may seem very dark and unwanted, I am glad it happened to me and ultimately - this is what art is about. Art should be able to put you in deep emotional state and change your view on life, world, universe... And for that reasons, to me Dancer in the Dark might be one of the best films ever made.

akshizzy There's a few redeeming factors in this movie, mainly Bjork's musical numbers, although they can't seem to make up for the rest of the film. Lars Von Trier attempts to have poorly shot scenes to make some sort of artistic statement, regardless of if that statement means anything to you or not, you're still watching a poorly shot film. Bjork's musical talent simply does not do enough to carry almost two and a half hours of cinematic misery. This goes beyond simply being a sad story or a film that is difficult to watch, there's simply nothing engaging. I'm glad people something in Dancer and Lars Von Trier's other work, but I can't seem to find this film to be anything other than pretentious.

Prismark10 Lars von Trier has carried over his Dogme 95 principles over to Dancer in the Dark with hand-held cameras, natural lighting which gives the film a dizzying effect that divided critics.It is a sombre, post modern musical set in the early 1960s immigrant community. In some ways it reminds me of the works of Dennis Potter whose BBC version of Pennies from Heaven was remade as a US based movie.Bjork plays the European immigrant factory worker who with diminishing eyesight works all hours and saves every penny for her son's surgery to ensure he does not go blind like her. When the money is stolen by her landlord and neighbour who is also a cop, it descends her life into tragedy as she is put on trial for murder.Yet the film has some big dreamlike musical numbers, Oscar winner Joel Grey pops up for a musical song and dance in the courtroom.The film is a drab depressing musical but with heart as it contains kindness in unexpected places and people such as the prison guard.Lars von Trier did not completely win me over, the story although novel really did not sustain my interest enough.

Python Hyena Dancer in the Dark (2000): Dir: Lars Von Triers / Cast: Bjork, David Morse, Catherine Deneuve, Peter Stormare, Joel Grey: Disturbing yet brilliant film about endurance through tragedy or one's venture into uncertainty. Ultimately it deals with a woman threatened with blindness but her love for Hollywood musicals keeps her going. Pop diva Bjork stars as a single mother who works at a press factory and she has been stashing money away for an operation to prevent her from losing his sight. Her landlord is a cop who is having financial difficulties and steals her money. She confronts him but he forces her to kill him thus leading to a disturbing battle in court. Hardly pleasant but director Lars Von Triers brilliantly uses musicals to express emotion. Bjork delivers a powerful performance full of emotion as she goes through unfortunate lengths for the good of her son. David Morse is excellent as her landlord whose financial greed leads to his only real regard. Catherine Deneuve plays Bjork's friend from the factory who races to ensure that Bjork receives positive news with regards to her son's operation. Peter Stormare is another friend who supports her in this dire state. Joel Grey also appears, which is a staple for musicals, and seems to support what Bjork represents in her passion for musicals. Theme regards injustice and freedom as her mind takes flight in the joyous presence of song. Score: 8 / 10