Dancer in the Dark

Name: Dancer in the Dark
Genre: Drama, Musical
Released: September 22, 2000
Duration: 140 min
Rating: 61
Cast: Björk

2000

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 220 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 220 Ratings

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Dancer In The Dark

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Movie Details & Credits

Fine Line Features | Release Date: September 22, 2000 | R

Starring: Björk

Summary: Bjork stars as Selma, a Czech immigrant and single mother working in a factory in rural America. She is losing her eyesight and her 10 year-old son stands to suffer the same fate if she can't put away enough money to secure him an operation. (FilmFour)

Director: Lars von Trier

Genre(s): Drama, Musical

Rating: R

Runtime: 140 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Edward Guthmann

A thrilling, audacious work. Read full review

Roger Ebert

It is a bold, reckless gesture. Read full review

Ella Taylor

I was astonished to find myself weeping copiously over von Trier's latest, which is another parable of monomaniacal sainthood. Read full review

J. Hoberman

This deliriously downbeat vehicle for the postpunk diva Björk has generated the controversy the Danish dogmatist has relentlessly court. Read full review

Jonathan Foreman

If it weren't for a terrific central performance by the Icelandic pop singer Bjork, Dancer in the Dark would be all but unwatchable.

Mike Clark

This is the kind of movie that has always polarized serious film folk, while the public usually elects to stay home and prune shrubs. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

So exasperating in its contradictions, so frustrating in its fakery, so deeply irritating in its pretensions, it's frankly hard to know where to begin to dissect it. Read full review

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User Reviews

AndrewW.

May 14, 2006

This movie is simply amazing to me. So emotionally moving.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

CLeCrom

Dec 30, 2020

Dazzling Björk in this indictment against the death sentence, in tight close-ups. This film is a UFO, musical without being.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

smijatov

Dec 20, 2010

Dancer in the Dark is one of my favourite films ever. I cannot help but cry every time I watch it. The excellent performance by Bjork (surprisingly excellent, might I add) and the genius direction of Lars von Trier work perfectly to make one of the best films that have graced the filmDancer in the Dark is one of my favourite films ever. I cannot help but cry every time I watch it. The excellent performance by Bjork (surprisingly excellent, might I add) and the genius direction of Lars von Trier work perfectly to make one of the best films that have graced the film screen. Intensely disturbing, yet intensely gratifying and rewarding.… Expand

9 of 10 users found this helpful91

DanielSolano

Dec 26, 2013

Emotive and artistic. This is a Master piece, i dare to say it's the best film Von Trier has ever made.
Björk becomes in a lovely mother that wants the best for his son... but we're not used to watch sad movies, may tear your heart appart.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

The3AcademySins

Mar 6, 2019

Haunting and completely underrated, Dancer in the Dark is a rewarding film experience. I never thought a movie directed by Lars Von Trier and starring Bjork would be good, or even ever made, but what a pleasant surprise. Shot like a documentary, the plight of Bjork's character and her worldHaunting and completely underrated, Dancer in the Dark is a rewarding film experience. I never thought a movie directed by Lars Von Trier and starring Bjork would be good, or even ever made, but what a pleasant surprise. Shot like a documentary, the plight of Bjork's character and her world and desperate desire to save her son is heightened that much more. This is also one of the saddest movies I have ever seen. There are some stylistic incongruencies in the movie, but overall everything works, even the musical bits!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

LegitSalt

Apr 19, 2018

This was the first film by 'Nazi' Lars Von Trier that I have seen, and I'll say it bluntly, I really enjoyed it. The first 1/3 of the movie or was rather stale, and poorly acted, this combined with distracting editing was anything but a turn on for me. But, as I continued to watch, it didn'tThis was the first film by 'Nazi' Lars Von Trier that I have seen, and I'll say it bluntly, I really enjoyed it. The first 1/3 of the movie or was rather stale, and poorly acted, this combined with distracting editing was anything but a turn on for me. But, as I continued to watch, it didn't bother me as much, because I was sucked into the compelling characters and story. I felt tangible pain several times in the movie when Bjork's character continued to destroy her life, just to keep up the facade of being unimpaired. Bjork, as a whole, was a spectacle to watch, I really bought into her blindness, and felt like I was watching the tragic story of a real Czechoslovakian immigrant. Her blindness didn't seem to be all that consistent, but for the most part, it was a well-implemented plot device. Going back to Bjork, the sounds that she brought to the movie were right up my alley, and after the credits started rolling, I found myself having bought the soundtrack and listened to it play a few times through before I went on to my next task of the day. The tension and emotion built up during the climax and finale were exquisite, and, had I been a more emotional person, I have no doubt I would have cried. Overall, this is a wonderful film that accomplished many things at once. It manages to be an 'anti-musical' critiquing the idealist nature of classic Hollywood musicals. It does this while also still managing to be an enticing drama with great sound to boot. I definitely recommend this to both fans of classic Hollywood musicals, like 'The Sound of Music' or 'My Fair Lady', and to those seeking an enticing and engaging drama.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

D00mM4r1n3

Oct 16, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Dancer in the Dark starts out fine enough with song and story then quicly disintegrates into your typical Euro-trash dark drama. While the summary claims to be about a story taking place in Washington, the entire film comes across as European for the simple reason that it was filmed in Europe. It's both an insult to America and bad film making at the same time. There is nothing that Bjork's character did that would ever result in a death penalty, let alone be carried out in the manner shown.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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24	#24 Most Discussed Movie of 2000
64	#64 Most Shared Movie of 2000