March 27, 2006

Dear Wendy

This tale of of misfit pacifists who love their guns (they name themselves "the dandies") is, for a while, quite diverting. Structurally, it feels like a lot of the other Lars von Trier (Dogville, Dancer in the Dark, Breaking the Waves) fables about America (though written by von Trier it's directed by Thomas Vinterberg who's best known for the excellent The Celebration). It's highly stylized, stars Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot, The Chumscrubber), who I love, and the dominant music in the film is the work of The Zombies.

So far, so good. Very good even. Well, I guess if you don't like von Trier's writing you might have a number of problems with it. There are dark undertones throughout that some might see it in, if they are looking for them (they aren't explicit though). One could see this as something pointing out problems with American society including: hubris, dangerous idealism, a love for violent toys, an inability to deal with sex, racial intolerance, irresponsibility (not noticing the potential grave consequences of our fun). But as long as you don't see that, or don't mind it, the movie is interesting - until one plot turn ruins it all. It's not that I object to the outcome. You probably had to get there eventually. But it's the way the plot gets there. Why would a dandy take those actions and risks, seemingly in defense of someone who's actions, unexpected and incomprehensible though they may be, strike at the very heart of everything that a dandy is supposed to stand for (and it should be said that they take ideas, particularly those at the center of their identity, extremely seriously)? That I don't get, and there the movie lost me.

So I don't know that I can recommend it. It becomes inane. But the set-up before the fall is entertaining.

Posted by armand at March 27, 2006 10:37 AM | TrackBack | Posted to Movies


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