Melancholia

The demented Lars von Trier makes his best film since Dancer in the Dark with the story of Justine (Kirsten Dunst), her sad wedding and the end of the world. Dunst deserves all of the accolades she has been receiving as the depressed new bride, who pretty much trashes any chance for a joyful union to her beau (an excellent Alexander Skarsgård) on their wedding night. Charlotte Gainsbourg (very good in von Trier’s Antichrist) is equally moving as Claire, Justine’s earnest and troubled sister. The family drama plays out as a mysterious planet threatens to collide with Earth. It’s a weird, wonderful movie that also stands as one of the year’s greater visual achievements. Kiefer Sutherland is excellent as John, Claire’s well-to-do husband who is quite confident everything will work out OK for planet Earth. Dunst could find herself in the heat of the Oscar race, although von Trier’s weird Nazi comments at Cannes could hamper her.