Breaking the Waves
Tags: psychological, boring, bleak, melodrama, tragedy, romantic, sadist

Plot synopsis:
BREAKING the WAVES
The story was about love, faith and confidence. A small coastal village in North Scotland, in 1970s.The village neighborhood didnt like foreigners, especially when those people worshiped different religions. The public of this village were very pious. In un-developed regions, women arent allowed to participate in the funeral ceremonies.
The film was the first film of a trilogy, the names of which Golden Heart series. The movie was recorded by a hand-held camera, that brings audiences into the place. This technique made the fiction more realistic.
The main character was Bess who had some mental problems and a childish manner. She had to be taken care of by her family members. She was talking with herself with a God Voice and tried to find a way to endure her pain. In the early chapters, we saw, Bess and Jan got married, had an incredible honeymoon and sexual experience. When Jan started to work, she missed him very much and begged God for the return her husband immediately. Everything changed with an accident. When Jan was in the oil-rig, he injured his neck and completely paralyzed. When Bess learned the accident, first she was very happy but then she started to blame herself. Their sex relations remained to fall down that situation. Jan asked her to take a lover and tell him the details. Because Jan knew Besss church wouldnt permit divorce. What do we think about Jans suggestion? Did he really want to get rid of her, for her sake? Or did he just think about himself? I think the story didnt answer this question. We should think about a man who was completely paralyzed and became selfish. Dodo, who was Besss sister-in-law, said sickness is a mighty power They quarreled about Besss situation. Jan believed Bess has more strength than them. Because of the whole painful process, Jan attempted to kill himself. When he failed, he asked Dodo for help for his own suicide. Dodo denied his request, she thought the second death would be very damaging for Bess. Bess had recently lost her brother.
On the other side, Bess started to commit adultery. She believed in God and convinced herself if she did some sacrifices, Jan would be able to recovered. When she mentioned her bus experience, Jans reaction was unclearly. Was he relieved or annoyed? I think the most impressive chapter was the sixth one called Faith. In that chapter she started to go cheap bars and chose the ugliest guys. She punished herself that way. Meanwhile her reputation had become very damaged in the small village. Only Jans doctor and Dodo realized her tough condition. Bess had attempted to seduce the doctor too. Maybe he also liked her too, but didnt want to use her case. Everyone around her started to become aware of her sinful behavior. They even didnt tolerate her attitude. Her church, her neighbors, even her mother, everyone around her rejected her. In those kinds of small villages, people can be very cruel about morality. Which is the biggest sin? Who are the biggest sinners in this condition? Social rules are pressure in a small society. Actually, in this story everybody suffered a lot but they pretended to remain innocent while they pushed her down the cliff. I think miracles arent always fair. They can cause some kind of miserable consequences. At the end of the movie the unexpected miracle happened; the man recovered but he also lost his wife. The villagers wanted to punish her body too. They refused to bury her appropriately. Jan stole the body and gave her a real funeral. She buried at sea with the sound of bells.
Here we have a story which argues what is right or wrong in love. If we were Bess, how many of us could be strong in love? ? To love a man and never hesitate to do some kind of tough sacrifices

Review: Lars von Trier's Breaking the Waves is the kind of film that makes me proud to be a film-goer and exceeds anything I could have possibly expected from the man who made Element of Crime.
Anyway, you get the picture The film stars Emily Watson as Bess, a shy and neurotic girl who is filled with joy to be with her new husband Jan (Stellan Skarsgard who is exceptional).
All of this works because of von Trier's passionate desire to understand how one can please God under horrendous terms; the epilogue, that takes the already-great material to a new level and shows how inspired von Trier is, starts with a moment of sad irony and then leaps to the skies with an image that fills the most atheistic person with questions and the more religiously spiritual people with hope.
Wherever you stand on the Dogme issue (personally I'm all for it as long as they continue to make movies as great as 'Festen' and 'The Idiots'), his brief alliance with the group has overshadowed amazing work like 'Element Of Crime', 'Europa' and 'Breaking The Waves'.
'Breaking The Waves' was made before the Dogme manifesto was formulated, but it can be seen as a step in that direction, with its use of documentary techniques as opposed to the flamboyant and highly stylized approach of von Trier's earlier films.
Stellan Skarsgard, a most underrated actor in my opinion,('Insomnia', 'Ronin') plays Bess's husband and is also superb, and the supporting cast includes the late Katrin Cartlidge ('Naked') as Watson's sister-in-law, and von Trier regulars Jean-Marc Barr (almost unrecognizable from his leading role in 'Europa'), as one of Skarsgard's work buddies, and cult legend Udo Kier ('Flesh For Frankenstein', 'The Story Of O') in a cameo as a very nasty piece of work who Bess has the misfortune to encounter.
To me 'Breaking The Waves' is a much better more than von Trier's better known 'Dancer In The Dark', and Watson's performance makes Bjork's look like that of an enthusiastic but not very talented amateur (which of course, is exactly what she is).
It will pull at every heart muscle that you have and really make you look at your significant other and truly feel the power of love.This is a love story, but not like one we have seen in a very long time.
Emily Watson had one of the best film debuts ever, and this is probably the most accomplished female performance I've seen since Julianne Moore in "The Hours".
Lars von Trier has a special talent to direct women: just remember Nicole Kidman's and Björk's remarkable performances in "Dogville" and "Dancer in the Dark", respectively."Breaking the Waves" tells the story of the pure Bess McNeill (Watson) and her unconditional love for Jan Nyman (Stellan Skarsgård), who is paralyzed after an accident at the oil-rig he works in.
Katrin Cartlidge (1961-2002), an extremely gifted actress ("Naked", "Before the Rain", "Claire Dolan", "Career Girls", "Topsy-Turvy" and "No Man's Land") who died too young, delivers a captivating, discreet supporting performance as Dodo, Bess' loving sister-in-law.I'd say "Breaking the Waves" and "Dogville" are opposite masterpieces: "Waves" being about love and goodness, "Dogville" being about hatred and evil, among other things, of course (nothing's easy or simple in Von Trier's universe).
Both films are extremely dark and hard to watch, but "Waves" shows that Von Trier has faith in mankind.
The first time I saw Breaking the Waves, I was astonished that Emily Watson had not acted for the cinema before her turn as Bess McNeill.
Director Lars von Trier is a true visionary, and the (largely hand-held) cinematography by Robby Muller perfectly defines the tone of the film -- in fact, the theatre where I saw Breaking the Waves posted a disclaimer that warned anyone who suffers from motion or sea-sickness to see the film at their own peril!.
Bearing in mind, you will feel devastated by the film's self-destructive nature and after viewing such an unforgettable story of heart ache and sadness you will have etched into the back of your mind.Breaking the Waves is a complicated story; it is one that studies love, regret, guilt, madness and religion.
Breaking the Waves is set in a small religious town deep in Scotland and tells the sorrowful story of the innocent Bess (Emily Watson) and her lover Jan (Stellan Skarsgaard).
Jan becomes paralysed in a freak accident at the oil-rig he is working on and asks his estranged wife Bess to have sex with other men and then tell him what it was like to keep their relationship stable.Lars Von Trier, the founder of Dogme film-making creates a drama that remains in a league of its own.
The film's general direction is one that feels like it has been shot with a hand-held style.The film studies many questionable elements of life, including topics such as death, terminal illness, spirituality, emotions and hypocrisy in religion.
A film about love, faith, religion and many other things, it is a draining experience but yet fascinating to watch, with superb acting and an intriguing main character.
Although Lars von Trier's "Breaking the Waves" is undoubtedly one of the most impressive films of recent years, I have delayed commenting on it until now, as my feelings about it are far from clear.
Both films have a supposedly mentally unstable central character, a young man who talks as Christ in "Ordet" while Bess, the young woman in "Breaking the Waves" talks to God who answers her in her own voice's deepest register.
From almost excessive visual stylization and remoteness, he uses an approach that is disturbingly documentary-like, heavily reliant on improvisation and incredibly intimate for the first time.Breaking the Waves is the story of simple-minded, good-hearted and slightly bonkers Bess McNee (Emily Watson in her first role!) of a secular Scottish community.
There had not been a lot of movies I'd seen in a very long time, where the act of embracing one's faith in a greater power, and an unselfish, all-encompassing belief in unconditional love and trust were so vividly and powerfully portrayed.
Yet in their love scenes as Jan and Bess, I believe we get our very first glimpse on film of what sex between two people is meant to be as the Man Upstairs intended; not something dirty or vile or wanton, or anything as icily clinical as the conditions prescribed by Mother Church, but as a gift to us to be enjoyed, and therefore in turn the greatest gift that any one person can give to another as a sign of love and affection.
Had director Von Trier seen her story in that way, this would've been a pretty short film.But when our love for another and our faith is all we have, no matter how misguided it is, no one has the right to question or debunk it, no matter how well-meaning they are.
(Note: Over 500 of my movie reviews are now available in my book "Cut to the Chaise Lounge or I Can't Believe I Swallowed the Remote!" Get it at Amazon.)Emily Watson's performance is extraordinary, and Stellan Skargard is very good, but this is without a doubt the most degrading, depressing and tragic movie I have seen in a long, long time.
And be forewarned, the sexuality is degrading, and the very essence of human love is willfully and repeatedly perverted.In making this movie, Director Lars von Trier no doubt sought a kinship with the tragedies of Shakespeare and the Greeks in which the fates destroy the protagonist because of a so-called 'fatal flaw,' a flaw the protagonist cannot help.
The making is really remarkable but the movie looks fake...the story keeps playing dirt with the audience making the characters act in unbelievable ways just to stimulate people's emotions.
Emily Watson became one of my favorite actors after this movie, she is truly amazing in the role of Bess McNeill.
I cannot stress this enough all people should watch this film, gives you a bit of happiness and also a lot of pain just like when you love someone..
It feels like von Trier has a little too high claims on himself, he really has to put in the lower-quality film in his camera to prove the audience that he isn't commercial, then he fill the whole movie with over-sentimental scenes to show his very view of artistry, an artistic view that is so pathetic that you rather laugh than cry at the sentimentality in the film.
When he is injured and paralysed in an accident and can no longer have sex, he decides to get his jollies by having his wife act as a prostitute and then tell him all about it - so HE will feel alive!Lars von Triers'jerky camera work (so innovative?, annoying) only comes to rest when Emily Watson is fully prone, naked, begging the Doctor to jump her bones for hubbys and Gods sake.
Chapter 1 – Bess Gets Married: In a backward religious village in the north of Scotland, the naive, immature, pure, susceptive, repressed and emotionally unstable Bess McNeill (Emily Watson) gets married with Danish worker Jan Nyman (Stellan Skarsgård) that works in a drilling rig.
But she believes she has a connection with Jan through spiritual love and the might power of love guided by God will heal Jan. She decides to prostitute to help Jan with tragic consequences along Chapter 5 – Doubt; Chapter 6 – Faith; Chapter 7 – Bess' Sacrifice; and Chapter 8 – The Funeral."Breaking the Waves" is a heartbreaking and cruel tale of intolerance, faith and unconditional love.
The introduction of each chapter uses a classic from the 70's, with "All the Way From Memphis"; "Blowing in the Wind"; "Pipe Major Donald Maclean"; "In a Broken Dream"; "Cross Eyed Mary"; "I Did What I Did for Maria"; "Virginia Plain"; "Whiter Shade of Pale"; "Hot Love"; "Suzanne"; "Love Lies Bleeding"; "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"; "Whisky In the Jam"; "Child in Time"; "Your Song"; "Siciliana"; "Gay Gordons"; "Scotland the Brave"; "Barren Rock of Aden"; "Happy Landing".I do not like to write extensive reviews but Lars von Trier usually shakes my emotions and in the end I write more than I wished.
A very Biblical piece on sacrificial madness as Bess, (played brilliantly by Emily), goes about whoring herself to cure her paralysed husband, Jan. So be prepared because anything goes when Lars von Trier is in control..
I was disappointed in this film, perhaps because I watched it on video, soon after having seen 'Dancer in the Dark' at the cinema which had whetted my appetite to see more of von Trier's work.I hesitate to say this, given how positively I responded to 'Dancer in the Dark', but 'Breaking the Waves' reminded me a little of the day-time tv hospital-dramas that I occasionally watched as a child in the 1950s.
So, whatever else this film might accomplish, it doesn't erode the stereotype of the bad' sex worker.And yet  'Breaking the Waves', like 'Dancer in the Dark', succeeds in bringing the audience face to face with a special, and disturbing, martyrdom.
The torture that Bess chooses to endure is supposed to be equally difficult, but the film doesn't make me feel that.I would recommend, to anyone who wants to think further about what it is that makes 'Dancer in the Dark' work better than 'Breaking the Waves', to read Stanley Cavell's essay Opera and the lease of voice'..
Von Trier's monkeying around with audience expectations, and his Brechtian distancing techniques - choppy editing, hand-held camera, digitalized landscape chapter headings (it's only a film duh!)- only serves to wreck great performances and an interesting plot.I laughed at the ending it was so schmaltzy, which really wrecked everything that was set up before - we live in a hard, sadistic world but miracles can happen (huh?).
I really do not understand people who can say that this is extraordinary film, in fact I can understand that someone likes so called "artistic" touch to the film, but this is over the top.Story- sick, dark and completely unrealistic Camera- free hand, like the kids were playing with it Editing- I can do it better on my PC Music- none Acting- Like in rehabilitation for mentally illSo someone could say that this one is good if he/she has no other argument in their life to call themselves exceptional, but to hope that no one in their right mind could understand this movie but them.Avoid at any cost!.
A story has to have sympathetic characters in order for the viewer to remain interested, and there were none in this film.The relationship between Jan and Bess was never developed.
Emily Watson does an excellent job of acting here (maybe too good, much as Ralph Fiennes annoyed me in "Spider"), but I just couldn't stand to watch her any longer.If this sort of plot interests you, then by all means watch the film.
The way the film is set out leaves you almost feeling like you've read an incredibly engrossing novel.It's an incredible story of outstanding faith overcoming even the most simple logic in the name of undying love.
The film has a unique picture that seems like a cheap hand-held camera.Somewhat irritating but again i thought that they want to emphasize the story and characters so i didn't mind.
Lars Von Trier's tale - of a woman who sexually humiliates herself in the hope of saving her paralysed husband - is an astounding and powerful film on any level, yet it may be hard work for some.
Although still far-out by the standards of mainstream cinema, 'Breaking the Waves' is perhaps his most conventional English-language film; and also his best, a movie of rare emotional power.
Dominated by a literally eye-rolling performance from Emily Watson in the lead role, the film also features a strong supporting cast including, among others, the late Katrin Cartlidge, unnervingly abrupt inter-cutting between scenes, the odd (but effective) division of the movie into chapters marked by musical interludes, and a fiercely imagined vision of life in western Scotland.
Although she is considered mentally unstable she analyses her feelings, speaks from her heart and communes with God in her darkest moments, in her hour of need.This is truly great film making..
Lars Von Trier's BREAKING THE WAVES is a pre-Dogme film, yet it still retains certain elements of Dogme 95 - the most obvious being the hand-held camera.
Some people have found that this makes them feel motion-sickness, but I found that as I became engrossed in the story, I forgot about the hand-held camera.Having said that, I have to admit I was disappointed with this film.
Emily Watson gives one of the all-time great performances in Breaking The Waves.
Bess McNeill (Watson) is a mentally troubled woman who has married an off-shore oil rig worker, Jan (Stellan Skarsgård-another great performance), after praying her entire life for true love, and has dedicated her entire existence to him.
Believe that, because it's true.There really isn't anything about this film that makes one want to watch it a second time, unless you get off on it, like the woman's husband.
The hand-held camera work by Director Lars Von Trier brings a gritty, documentary-style feel to the intense dramatic story line and performances.
Emily Watson gave a great performance in the style of character which we all can expect from her.The film was boring.
For in this case Bess, played by an unforgettably moving Emily Watson, is that character, a woman who prays everyday, and is married to a kind oil-rigger, Jan, played by an equally good Stellan Sarsgaard.
And, oddly enough despite von Trier's own feelings on religion, watching the film I get the sense that believers won't mind.
The film moved me in ways I thought not possible.It stars Emily Watson (Punch-Drunk Love) as Bess, who marries Jan, played by Stellan Skarsgard (Good Will Hunting).
With Breaking the Waves he moved away from beautiful pictures to a beautiful story, centring on young naive Bess (Emily Watson), who after marrying oilman Jan (Stellan Skarsgård) begins a life of constant love and passion.
Either way, Breaking the Waves is still one-hundred times better than most of the Hollywood hogwash, full of beautiful images and performances, and is a good chance to see a real film by one of cinema's greatest directorial talents...
Emily Watson's moving performance makes "Breaking the Waves" an unforgettable experience.
Emily Watson is a wonderful actress and Stellan Skarsgard is wholly convincing in his love for her character, Bess.It is a great story of how powerful love is for some people, and how overwhelming its consequences can be.Unfortunately this is not a movie for all, the other people who I have tried to introduce to it became restless and slightly bewildered.
Then Jan is injured at work and everything changes.A Lars von Trier movie that covers some interesting themes – obsessive relationships, euthanasia, manipulation, dogma and the lengths people go to for love.
What else could I expect from Breaking the Waves, one of the three films in the 'Golden Heart Trilogy' by Lars von Trier?
But Breaking the Waves surprised me, and wasn't predictable as I thought: in fact, it's another great film from the Danish director that, this time, added a religious touch to the tale.Breaking the Waves is about Bess McNeill (Emily Watson), a young woman who marries Jan Nyman (Stellan Skarsgard) and falls madly in love with him.
Bess believes that his return and his request are all God's actions for the good of everybody, so she listens to him: soon, she finds herself in a very difficult and painful position.As I said before, von Trier's goal here is to cause you pain while watching the movie.
But this is still a fine film, and see if you don't feel just as surprised as Bess late in the movie, when God doesn't talk to her for the first time..
More than any other film of the 1990s, and despite (or maybe because of) some truly disturbing subject matter, Breaking the Waves is the kind of movie to watch with someone you love..