Melancholia, despair, deep depression. Not the kind of sadness that you want to cry but rather a state of sober thoughfulness and of numbness. Resisting to emotions and unwilling to feel anymore. Melancholia the movie captures all the above perfectly. I am sure about it because I understand depression and the movie resonates in me.
First of all, I was surprised that it was not disturbing for a movie directed by Lars von Trier. I watched Antichrist and Nymphomaniac Volume 1 before, both disturbing as hell. To this day, I am still refuse to watch Nymphomaniac Volume 2. Although it is different than the other two in terms of disturbing imagery, three of them are movies difficult to watch. Just like I said, Melancholia portraits depression so well, so well that the movie itself feels like a person in depression, and it is unbearable.
I know an extremely depressed person is unbearable because I myself had been through depression and I had been that unbearable person before. Depression can be contagious. A person in depression can drag another person down to their mess. It is an abyss that can consume you and suck in everything around you. Watching Melancholia reminds me so much of my past and how unbearable I made myself to other people. I owe those who continued to support me through my hard times.
Another thing I want to mention is, the movie gave me a claustrophobic feeling. It was set in a giant mansion with a huge open field but I felt confined throughout the film. I think it is because of the approaching Melancholia. The world in the movie felt like a prison where the walls were closing in. Ending of feelings matching with the ending of the world. And when the end hit in the movie, I really felt like it was really the end of the end.
It is not a movie for everyone. Personally, I don't hate it but I don't like it either. One thing is for sure about Melancholia - it is a beautiful movie. Memorable!
