Reviewing existence is kind of like reviewing this film. What purpose does a review serve to something that must be experienced?
The character of Justine played by Kirsten Dunst... She cannot function, cannot please others, dreams are nightmares, life is death. Her happy day is tainted. For much of her wedding celebration, she is absent. She would rather sleep than laugh. She says, "I'm sorry."
Impending doom, beauty. Helping her / me into the tub... making us eat our favorite food which we detest. I love and hate you. I see something no one else can. Why was I born?
Beauty in the midst of destruction. The weak become strong. The pill bottle is empty. Father has killed himself. The horses are silent.
From the opening images we are uneasy, perplexed, and dare I say, already sad for some reason.
Her relationship with her father seemed good, but he was crazy. Her mother was domineering, bitter. If she could ever be happy for even a moment it would only come when she could make others miserable. Every one else tries to make Justine happy: pressure, deals, pleading.
The film in many ways is an exploration of the relationship between sisters. Part one is Justine, part two is Claire. Depression and anxiety? Justine loathes her present. Claire hates the future. Claire's husband ("unbelievable") is the confident leader and comforter, and the first to commit suicide. Justine's new husband is boyish, kind, sincere; he tries very, very hard, and he's the first to disappear. The sister's are left alone, with the small boy, to face Melancholia.
But Justine is not facing it when it comes. She had already laid herself naked before it. Claire has vainly prepared. The sisters collide as they prepare for collision.
She's ready.
Indeed.
Thank you for watching this month's episode of "Rat the Movies."
See you next month maybe.
