Film Review: Antichrist

I don't know why I can't just enjoy films like Dear John and The Blind Side like many of the women I know. But, nooooo. I am magnetically drawn to films like Lars von Trier's Antichrist. As the decaying fox says, "chaos reigns".  That is one smart decaying fox.

The film is divided into four parts: a prologue, an epilogue, and four chapters: Grief, Pain (Chaos Reigns), Despair (Gynocide), and The Three Beggars. The prologue is beautifully shot. Even the tragedy that ensues is beautifully done. The film then follows a couple who retreats to an isolated cottage in the woods called "Eden" to deal with their grief.

From there, it becomes a horror flick that I don't understand. I want its imagery and storyline to have some greater significance, but maybe it is left to me to ponder what it might mean. It is a fact that even though I didn't always understand what was happening I certainly couldn't turn away. I want to write down everything, as one does in an attempt to intepret a dream to see if I can make sense of it all.

I've seen two von Trier films: Dancer in the Dark and Dogville. I liked Dancer, but I consumed Dogville. I felt I really understood it from beginning to end. When the credits began, I sat frozen in my theatre seat in tears and filled with shame. I don't have a clue where he wanted us to go with Antichrist.

I don't think I would recommend this film to anyone I know so I have to give it a two out of five stars. I'm glad I saw it and I'm sure I'll continue to think about it for weeks to come. I certainly can't think of a more appropriate anti-Valentine's Day film.