Film Reviews by RC

Usual charming moments, details and wry humour that I’ve come to expect from this director, with the kind of pacing that draws you in to the characters and their lives. Felt like it could have been edited down by half an hour though to hold the story better in focus. 

I’m quite a fan of the director’s films, but I unfortunately have to agree with the other reviewers that, while you can see the intent, it doesn’t quite manage to tie it’s different elements together convincingly. Some sensitive moments along the way though, and an amusing short film in the DVD extras. 

Beautiful film with a great cast and plenty of black humour along the way. For anyone who can relate to some of the struggles of the main character it will probably be moving too. Recommended.

Like the other reviewer there were moments for me when it felt like Andre was going on a bit, but by the end of the film it’s allegorical power and charm started to come through, as a film which may help us to attune to the ‘Wally’ and ‘Andre’ in all of us and the compulsions and openings that life may bring. Bon appetit!

I’m a fan of many of Von Trier’s films and also of Bjork’s music so was intrigued to finally watch this. I was disappointed to find this rather self-indulgently and masochistically pointless. Selma’s plight is drawn out and agonised over while making for an extremely frustrating protagonist who never speaks up for herself but instead wallows in her decline and allows events to take over at every turn. A sort of doomed quasi-saintly figure with an escapist reflex. The musical interludes provide welcome respite by contrast, with playful choreography and nice use of musique concrète details. 

Playfully moves between fragments of story, filmmaking and an ending that really delivers. I like the rather unflattering portraits they make of themselves in the process too. 

I’m into sparse and challenging filmmaking but this struck me as adolescent faux-philosophical guff. Disappointing after enjoying Alice in the City and of course Paris Texas.