Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton's divisive review of Lars von Trier's film 'Dancer in the Dark' on The Movie Show, 27 December 2000. This clip is property of SBS Australia (no copyright infringement intended).
These two were Australia's last link to foreign art house fare and good cinema. Without their guidance the layperson doesn't know what may be worth seeing, and what should be avoided like the plague. Of course cinephiles generally still have a pretty good idea about what to check out, but these two gave a stamp of approval that meant something on your radar might be propelled to priority if they praised it. Our own Siskel and Ebert. I miss them, and in this current multiplex, big figure dominated era, complicated by Netflix and online-streaming, nobody is truly "immersed". Instead, viewers have a check-in-check-out experience of a film whenever they please, and soulless, by-the-numbers American blockbusters dictate what gets advertised. We really need two people who treat film with the integrity and respect it deserves.
bigtux11 I TOTALLY agree!!! Sad as it sounds I rarely go to the flicks anymore for the reasons you mentioned AND the fact that The Movie Show is no longer on. It would give me a good idea about what was worth seeing. I don't car how old Margaret and David are...look at Bill Collins...he is still on Foxtel with his plethora of knowledge giving huge amounts of information about old films. Go Bill!
I'd encourage you to continue supporting cinema attendance in Australia. The Palace chain of cinemas still offer good content, much of which is art house and some foreign films. It's good to see Bill's still reviewing.
Since I know how to use the internet, I have access to not only more information than ever, but also more films than ever. There are even curated streaming sites for cinephiles. Never been better for true movie lovers.
@@CoastLifee SBS tried but it was millenial woke hipsters and nobody could stand them. Two young genx critics could do it but nobodys hiring right now.
Poor old David seemed stuck in another time/space continuum with this one, no wonder he didn't appreciate his new shoes. I loved this film, such inventiveness and spirit mixed with the sad struggle of Bjork's character trying to keep it all together for her son. I even shed a tear toward the end. Very moving. Five stars for Margaret's review, 1 star for David's.
He was not alone in thinking it misogynist rubbish. Lars Von Trier would have nothing if he didn't love seeing women tortured and tormented on screen. Its a terrible film - all the more so because he is a capable director and the cast is fantastic. Stratton is right - its is an anti-musical.
@@syntheticsilkwood2206 Nothing wrong with making an anti-musical. It uses the musical genre to give insight into her dreams and aspirations (absolutely nothing wrong with that, you are right - it's a smart creative idea) but the sum total of the film is like watching suffrage porn. This is made worse by the fact that Bjork is not an actor. She is not acting; she is living it - that is the only way she can do it. She didn't have the capacity to create a role and separate herself from it. When the character suffers, she suffers and that makes it incredibly cruel. It's such a nonsensical story line - the musical numbers are meant to represent a fantasy but the main storyline and her seeking help for her son and then finally being executed are equally fanciful. He has created this ridiculous world where children are allowed to go blind and women with no criminal record die for their first crime. Its hateful and cruel and we sit watching an innocent person suffer because Von Trier so loves watching women be tortured.
I can accept that this film polarises opinion but what is this guy talking about ? For me it's a phenomenal piece of film making and Bjork provides quite simply one of the best screen performances I've ever seen. It must have been a harrowing experience for her but what a tragedy that she's never done any more film work. Full marks to Von Trier for doing something totally unique, so powerful, so moving, so thought provoking.
exactly why lars von trier is great. also why he gets such mediocre reviews. when one person gives 100/100 and the other gives 0/100, you end up with an average of 50/100. when a filmmaker is capable of making audiences feel not just strong emotions, but DIFFERENT strong emotions, thats when you can safely label them a genius.
Its actually kind of eerie hearing this review in retrospect. Especially the quote from the reviewer "I don't think he likes women" when only a year ago in 2018 Bjork claimed Von Trier aggressively sexually harrassed her while making this movie. It makes more sense as to why she has never really acted again.
I don’t see how Stratton can say von Trier hates women... if his other female characters are anything like Selma, they’re determined, selfless, compassionate, full of life and spirit
Von Trier has a long long history of misogyny along with multiple credible allegations of sexual misconduct. How can you not even “see” how this is possible?
i really enjoyed this film, i can understand not really being into it tho. i do wish the plot involving Bill was better thought out, his motivation for having to steal/completely turn on Selma was pretty weak. and then Selma's inability to stick up for/explain herself in court just seemed to be intentionally frustrating. but overall the style, acting, and ending were unforgettably moving for me
Definitely with Margaret on this one. Amazing film. And though I totally get that it's a divisive film, I honestly believe 0 stars is just unjustifiable, at least for a professional critical review. However, I also kind of resent the film, as apparently the making of it turned Bjork away from acting, and I would have absolutely loved to have seen her in more stuff.
David Stratton’s dress sense tells you all you really need to know. I bet he thought Trainspotting and Pulp Fiction were bad movies too. As Frank Zappa once said… “Your mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work unless it’s open.”. Dancer in The Dark was such a powerful movie I watched it only once, about 15 years ago and I have not been able to watch it again since. It’s just too tragic and upsetting. No other film has done that to me. Stratton’s reaction brings to mind the phrase “Pearls before swine”.
I don’t think that’s quite accurate. They are “mad” at the opinion not Stratton for having one. Having an opinion on someone else’s opinion also just happens to be an opinion as well of course.
In every movie Lars did David Stratton called him a misogynist, even in his latest film The House That Jack Built. He said "I never liked how Lars treated females." I strongly disagree. I definitely never looked at his films that way. David is an idiot lol.
They both have their points, the story IS incredibly ridiculous : Blind girl....cast as Maria Von Trapp? And Bjork is at once incredibly convincing and utterly irritating (just kick that policeman in the balls, Selma). And a musical that ends with a hanging and doesn't finish the song. It is a musical done as an anti musical - an anti backstage-backstage musical - and that's exactly why it is a wonderful original moving and satirical creation. Lars always has the cake and eats it too. And rightfully so. For more musical plesures, i highly recommend East Germany''s wonderful Heisse Sommer. Fantastic.
Disappointing this so-called movie. I don't recommend such mess. Bjork scratched me with this movie aberration, the musical scenes are embarrassing, fake. He barely speaks and takes long pauses. She managed to become unbearable. The director has problems I think. If he was not ashamed to show people such a mess, it means that he has some thinking problems... The scenes are repeated, they are boring, the character is put in dangerous situations, it even gets to the point where a woman is hanged. Shame on you for doing something other than a movie! What is happening is embarrassing and meaningless, something absurd and I am sorry for the wasted time. Why do some people do such a thing and do not stay at home without disturbing others. I think he bothered me with such deviations.
The male critic is a perfect example of when one’s intellect has become so brittle and opaque that it stops them seeing beyond surface and style. This films wrings at the heart. A place that is unfamiliar territory for a sad little man that has forgotten how to feel.
I left the theater halfway through the movie. I do not think the movie was bad, I think is for a very small target audience, probably hard-core Bjork fans. It was too retro for me, in an era where were had The Matrix and so much tech, this movie was like a boring movie I used to watch with my parents late 70's.
I was in tears at the end of this film.
You are normal then
it might be the only movie that has ever made me cry
These two were Australia's last link to foreign art house fare and good cinema. Without their guidance the layperson doesn't know what may be worth seeing, and what should be avoided like the plague. Of course cinephiles generally still have a pretty good idea about what to check out, but these two gave a stamp of approval that meant something on your radar might be propelled to priority if they praised it. Our own Siskel and Ebert. I miss them, and in this current multiplex, big figure dominated era, complicated by Netflix and online-streaming, nobody is truly "immersed". Instead, viewers have a check-in-check-out experience of a film whenever they please, and soulless, by-the-numbers American blockbusters dictate what gets advertised. We really need two people who treat film with the integrity and respect it deserves.
bigtux11 I TOTALLY agree!!! Sad as it sounds I rarely go to the flicks anymore for the reasons you mentioned AND the fact that The Movie Show is no longer on. It would give me a good idea about what was worth seeing. I don't car how old Margaret and David are...look at Bill Collins...he is still on Foxtel with his plethora of knowledge giving huge amounts of information about old films. Go Bill!
I'd encourage you to continue supporting cinema attendance in Australia. The Palace chain of cinemas still offer good content, much of which is art house and some foreign films. It's good to see Bill's still reviewing.
completely 100% correct, i do not understand why ABC or SBS has not commissioned a new weekly film critic show, it needs to exist.
Since I know how to use the internet, I have access to not only more information than ever, but also more films than ever. There are even curated streaming sites for cinephiles. Never been better for true movie lovers.
@@CoastLifee SBS tried but it was millenial woke hipsters and nobody could stand them. Two young genx critics could do it but nobodys hiring right now.
Poor old David seemed stuck in another time/space continuum with this one, no wonder he didn't appreciate his new shoes. I loved this film, such inventiveness and spirit mixed with the sad struggle of Bjork's character trying to keep it all together for her son. I even shed a tear toward the end. Very moving. Five stars for Margaret's review, 1 star for David's.
He was not alone in thinking it misogynist rubbish. Lars Von Trier would have nothing if he didn't love seeing women tortured and tormented on screen. Its a terrible film - all the more so because he is a capable director and the cast is fantastic. Stratton is right - its is an anti-musical.
@@lucindaarmour7422 what's wrong with making an anti-musical I agree with everything you said but I just don't understand the last statement
@@syntheticsilkwood2206 Nothing wrong with making an anti-musical. It uses the musical genre to give insight into her dreams and aspirations (absolutely nothing wrong with that, you are right - it's a smart creative idea) but the sum total of the film is like watching suffrage porn. This is made worse by the fact that Bjork is not an actor. She is not acting; she is living it - that is the only way she can do it. She didn't have the capacity to create a role and separate herself from it. When the character suffers, she suffers and that makes it incredibly cruel. It's such a nonsensical story line - the musical numbers are meant to represent a fantasy but the main storyline and her seeking help for her son and then finally being executed are equally fanciful. He has created this ridiculous world where children are allowed to go blind and women with no criminal record die for their first crime. Its hateful and cruel and we sit watching an innocent person suffer because Von Trier so loves watching women be tortured.
I think 1 star is a bit generous.
“The story is utterly ridiculous...”,
Honestly for me, it was more realistic than any other movie I’ve ever seen!!!
the only movie ever that made me cry
I can accept that this film polarises opinion but what is this guy talking about ? For me it's a phenomenal piece of film making and Bjork provides quite simply one of the best screen performances I've ever seen. It must have been a harrowing experience for her but what a tragedy that she's never done any more film work. Full marks to Von Trier for doing something totally unique, so powerful, so moving, so thought provoking.
"he's quite the misogynist and hates women" hmm perhaps this guy wasn't far off in his assumptions!
5 stars vs 0 stars is why Lars Von Trier is known as a provocateur. People hate his films for the same reasons I love them.
This video, is just, BEAUTIFUL! May they both live forever.
"It depends David!" Peak Australian accent
exactly why lars von trier is great. also why he gets such mediocre reviews. when one person gives 100/100 and the other gives 0/100, you end up with an average of 50/100. when a filmmaker is capable of making audiences feel not just strong emotions, but DIFFERENT strong emotions, thats when you can safely label them a genius.
Its actually kind of eerie hearing this review in retrospect. Especially the quote from the reviewer "I don't think he likes women" when only a year ago in 2018 Bjork claimed Von Trier aggressively sexually harrassed her while making this movie. It makes more sense as to why she has never really acted again.
I love this movie but I can see that it’s not for everyone.
I don’t see how Stratton can say von Trier hates women... if his other female characters are anything like Selma, they’re determined, selfless, compassionate, full of life and spirit
Look at how he treated Björk.
Von Trier has a long long history of misogyny along with multiple credible allegations of sexual misconduct. How can you not even “see” how this is possible?
i really enjoyed this film, i can understand not really being into it tho. i do wish the plot involving Bill was better thought out, his motivation for having to steal/completely turn on Selma was pretty weak. and then Selma's inability to stick up for/explain herself in court just seemed to be intentionally frustrating. but overall the style, acting, and ending were unforgettably moving for me
I stumbled across this movie late at night and was transfixed. I've always liked Bjork and was intrigued that they'd made a musical with her.
I actually appreciate they are so divided on this film.
That anyone would not find the heart, the humanity and the tragedy is this film says more about them than the film.
I remember seeing this review on TV in my early twenties being on Margaret’s side.
Twenty years later, I’m of David’s opinion.
Margaret and David has been two most famous movie commentator in Australia during 1997-2000
longer than that. 1986-2014.
oh david. The clumsiness and awkwardness is to enforce the fantasy in this otherwise realistic imaginations of Selma
Definitely with Margaret on this one. Amazing film. And though I totally get that it's a divisive film, I honestly believe 0 stars is just unjustifiable, at least for a professional critical review.
However, I also kind of resent the film, as apparently the making of it turned Bjork away from acting, and I would have absolutely loved to have seen her in more stuff.
well the movie is kind of anti musical but it's not a bad thing lol
David Stratton’s dress sense tells you all you really need to know. I bet he thought Trainspotting and Pulp Fiction were bad movies too.
As Frank Zappa once said…
“Your mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work unless it’s open.”.
Dancer in The Dark was such a powerful movie I watched it only once, about 15 years ago and I have not been able to watch it again since. It’s just too tragic and upsetting. No other film has done that to me.
Stratton’s reaction brings to mind the phrase “Pearls before swine”.
It's OK to be wrong, David. Happens to the best of us.
classic Margaret and David
Telling my kids this is Mish Wittrup & Zach Ruane.
David is a twitty dip stick🥰
all these comments mad at stratton just for having an opinion lol
I don’t think that’s quite accurate. They are “mad” at the opinion not Stratton for having one. Having an opinion on someone else’s opinion also just happens to be an opinion as well of course.
@@NebraskaGonvilleJones at least several comments here express annoyance with stratton directly but yeah i take your point
David isn't a fan of musicals, that might explain it
Not true. Singin in the rain is one of his fave movies of all time.
That dude calling lars misogynistic like wtf
In every movie Lars did David Stratton called him a misogynist, even in his latest film The House That Jack Built. He said "I never liked how Lars treated females." I strongly disagree. I definitely never looked at his films that way. David is an idiot lol.
They both have their points, the story IS incredibly ridiculous : Blind girl....cast as Maria Von Trapp? And Bjork is at once incredibly convincing and utterly irritating (just kick that policeman in the balls, Selma). And a musical that ends with a hanging and doesn't finish the song.
It is a musical done as an anti musical - an anti backstage-backstage musical - and that's exactly why it is a wonderful original moving and satirical creation.
Lars always has the cake and eats it too. And rightfully so.
For more musical plesures, i highly recommend East Germany''s wonderful Heisse Sommer. Fantastic.
Bro was yapping with no good criticism
A musical with Bjork in it... I'll thank that blackboard thank you David.
I’ve seen the movie at least 20 times since I was 16 and I’m still reduced to a blubbering mess by the end every single time
No one talks about this film anymore...
And somehow you are here watching what others said about it
@@rodvarmo See? You still didn't talk about the film either.
🤦🏾♀️
Disappointing this so-called movie. I don't recommend such mess. Bjork scratched me with this movie aberration, the musical scenes are embarrassing, fake. He barely speaks and takes long pauses. She managed to become unbearable. The director has problems I think. If he was not ashamed to show people such a mess, it means that he has some thinking problems... The scenes are repeated, they are boring, the character is put in dangerous situations, it even gets to the point where a woman is hanged.
Shame on you for doing something other than a movie! What is happening is embarrassing and meaningless, something absurd and I am sorry for the wasted time. Why do some people do such a thing and do not stay at home without disturbing others. I think he bothered me with such deviations.
He went in biased and came out unchanged. The film was good. Depressing as hell but good.
The guy sounds like a feminist. Or like he fell asleep watching it. Dancer in the Dark is as good as it is traumatic. And it's traumatic.
THIS GUY HAS A CHIP ON HIS SHOULDER "LVT is a teriible film maker'????????
The male critic is a perfect example of when one’s intellect has become so brittle and opaque that it stops them seeing beyond surface and style. This films wrings at the heart. A place that is unfamiliar territory for a sad little man that has forgotten how to feel.
ebert was right, von trier is a mysogynist. but i can't know what to feel about the movie. it's fucking sad
The chad Karen vs incel wizard
Zero stars is such a stupid rating. David could be so uptight at times.
This is absolutely what von Trier wanted, he did perfectly
This guy had the worst take lmao like what are you even talking about
I left the theater halfway through the movie. I do not think the movie was bad, I think is for a very small target audience, probably hard-core Bjork fans. It was too retro for me, in an era where were had The Matrix and so much tech, this movie was like a boring movie I used to watch with my parents late 70's.
David had it right! The movie is repellant and boring! But I do give it 1 star because I liked some of the songs in it!
No
Probably the best musical of all time. Subverts the genre while elevating it. Effectively creating one of the most devastating films I’ve ever seen.
@@dirtydinner2432 amen!
You’re very wrong
No, Umbrellas of Cherbourg is the best musical of all time.
David sucks at reviewing. Bro couldn't appreciate the difference in this movie
he sexually assaulted Bjork