So Saturday evening after attending brilliant cartoonist Keith Knight’s L.A. welcome signing at Meltdown Comics where he entertained us with a fabulous slide show, we went to check out Lars von Trier’s Anti-Christ. Oh boy. 
I’ve only seen 2 Von Trier films previously – Breaking the Waves and Dancer in the Dark – both which I loved (though the latter I had to watch in 20-minute increments separated by episodes of AB Fab just to keep from wrenching my guts out.) BTW is a bit more accessible for Von Trier newbies. Emily Watson is probably my favorite contemporary actress – man, I’d love to work with her one day. But I digress.
My point is, I knew this was not likely to be the easiest or most accessible film to watch, but I didn’t begin to know what I was in for.
At picture’s end, friend and brilliant editor Lauren Schweitzer simply said, “Well, that was definitely interesting.” I’d have to concur. I’m not sure whether it was good interesting or bad interesting or if that’s even relevant with such a film, but there’s no arguing the interesting factor – graphic genital mutilation, cute fuzzy animatronic forest animals that exclaim things like “Chaos reigns” and all manner of over-the-top ridiculous antics, but all stunningly shot – not dull by any means.
Admittedly, I’m not sure exactly why this movie was made (I would have loved to have heard the pitch that got it funded, unless of course it was simply, “Yo, I’m Lars Von Trier, give me some money, Beyotches!” which probably suffices when you’re him.) I also really wonder what Charlotte Gainsbourg (who rocked in Cement Garden) and Willem Dafoe’s (love him!) takes were when they read the script and decided to take this on. But my take is, I’m glad I went with the friends that I did. Kenny’s still amusingly traumatized and I suspect Stacey and I will forever more be making grotesque comments about playing with scissors – shudder! – and yelling “Chaos reigns!” which we can now add to our plethora of bad movie quotes which includes The Room’s “Lisa, you’re tearing me apart!”
I can see why people would have problems with this film. But sometimes it’s almost silly. Though I know nothing of him personally, Lars strikes me as an instigator. Don’t question, he’s just trying to get a rise out of us. So why not just sit back and enjoy the disturbing ride and you’ll certainly be entertained. Take it too seriously and you’ll likely become a pretentious bore or an uptight whiner. If you really don’t care for him, just ignore him. Alas, he won’t be invading your multiplex anytime soon.
BTW, this was my first trip to the Fairfax Regency – big old theater with great indie fare at only $7.50 a pop on a Saturday night – it’s no Arclight, but it’s a good deal and a great place to watch freaky films with good friends (just remember a sweater – it’s chilly.)
[...] balanced and get this wonderful sense of peace. Funny that. If I were an animatronic fox in a Lars Von Trier movie I, too, might say. “Chaos Reigns” but then I’d add, “…only in a good [...]