Breaking the Waves

8/6/2023

Though I really didn't rate the story so much here, I thought the performance from Emily Watson as "Bess" is formidable. She lives on a remote Scottish island and is to marry oil rig worker "Jan" (Stellan Skarsgård). Somewhat reluctantly, the islanders embrace this and all is happy until she feels the wrench of his return to the rig. Pining for him, she regularly has conversations with God in their small kirk. It's on one such occasion that she begs him to send her husband home to her. Well, he does - but following a tragic accident that has left him completely incapacitated. She is determined to care for him at all costs, but he has other plans and convinces her that she ought to seek another lover. Somehow, she gets it into her head that every sexual act she carries out improves his cond

4/14/2024

**An ugly film on all levels that insults our intelligence.** For me, cinema is an art that tells good stories, whether fictional, true or a mix of fiction and real facts. It has a clear social role, often makes people think or raises difficult questions. However, there are directors who seem to live off controversy, that is, they try to use cinema to shock or impress, attracting attention for the worst and most selfish reasons. Lars von Trier is like that: he loves a good controversy and doesn't mind about criticism, as long as they talk about him. And that's why I don't like him and I don't consider him a good director. It's not enough to have talent, you need to know how to use it. As in many other films by this director, sex is the epicenter of this film: the script begins by int

7/3/2025

** A Movie That Doesn’t Just Move You, It Breaks You ** not just a film—it’s a raw, transcendent piece of art that pierces straight through the heart. From the hauntingly beautiful cinematography to Lars von Trier’s uncompromising direction, every frame of this movie is crafted with such emotional intensity that it becomes an unforgettable experience. Emily Watson delivers one of the most powerful performances I’ve ever seen, embodying Bess’s innocence, devotion, and suffering with heartbreaking authenticity. Her portrayal is so visceral that it’s impossible not to be moved to tears. The supporting cast is equally phenomenal, adding layers of depth to this harrowing yet deeply spiritual story. The film’s themes of love, sacrifice, and faith are explored with unflinching honesty, l