Last May, Lars von Trier's film "AntiChrist" opened up in Cannes to a mixed reaction...of sorts. This really should come to no surprise considering that von Trier has been a controversial figure throughout his career, as his films have always conjured up some discussion about the subject matter at hand or von Trier himself. In regards to "AntiChrist", well it was business as usual for von Trier. Some people applauded "AntiChrist" for its audacity, others hated it and booed it for its vicious third act. Obviously any film that could divide a group of film auteurs and critics alike is certainly one that needs to be seen, at least in my mind.
"AntiChrist" tells the story of a couple referred to 'He' and 'She', played by Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourgh,whose child has recently passed away. Things are complicated based on the notion that their child fell to his death through an open window while 'He' and 'She' were having sex. With 'She' feeling some form of responsibility, 'She' begins to toil between grief and anxiety. With 'He' being a psychiatrist, 'He' attempts to work his wife through her grief. His attempts to cure his wife begins with psychobabble exercises, but this eventually leads to them to their cabin , aptly named Eden, where 'She' has strong memories regarding her now deceased son. While in Eden, 'He' and 'She' encounter many issues between themselves and the natural elements that surround Eden. I don't want to say they encounter paranormal activity, but in a way they experience other worldly events. Now, the first half of the film is tremendous. Von Trier sets up a rather complex premise with great ease. Through the great acting of his two leads and creating barren, desolate shots, von Trier creates an atmosphere that is both inviting and harrowing in its quietness. Hell, aside from the opening five minutes where von Trier laughably shows 'He' and 'She' having sex in slow motion while their child falls to his death, I'd say the film has one of the most effective setups I've seen in a film all year.
Yet, for as great as the first hour or so is, "AntiChrist" is just as bad in the second half. Granted, the film possesses some interesting theories and ideas as it pertains to religious symbols, sexual urges, and the treatment of women during witch hunts, but it all never comes together. Instead of creating a film that can be explained in many ways (i.e. Synecdoche, New York), von Trier has created a film that makes me question him more than the film and characters. For example, on some level I can't help but question whether or not von Trier himself is misogynistic. I of course would never go to great lengths to say he possesses such a perspective completely, but the last half of the film suggests he doesn't get along with women to some degree. This is most notable in the fact that the last act works on the notion that all women are naturally evil and the downfall of man. But the most troubling aspect about the film regards the last twenty minutes where it seems von Trier has to rely on shock instead of his writing abilities.
With his film already spiralling out of control von Trier attempts to create a lasting effect through genital mutilation and the uncontrollable sexual urges of 'She'. Such scenes specifically revolve around 'She' cutting off her clitoris with a pair of rusty scissors, 'She' masturbating an unconscious 'He', causing him to ejaculate blood, and 'She' randomly running outside and masturbating in a stretch of grass. Obviously seeing such things on screen for a film that in many respects had no gore or over the top moments up to that point, is jarring. Yet, once the initial shock wears off the question becomes what was the point behind these needlessly explicit scenes? In all honesty there really wasn't any point, and this once again makes me question von Trier. Did he think his story really couldn't grasp the audience without it? It was these pointless acts of violent indulgence that really made me not care for the film and really turned a great, atmospheric thriller into a cheap knockoff.
All that was laid out in the first half of the film was wasted. The whole setup, the fearless and tremendous performances from Gainsbourg and Dafoe, the hauntingly beautiful cinematography, and most of all my interest, were thrown to the wayside in favor of modern day horror tactics. In the end, it doesn't seem like von Trier was interested in making a statement about life, death, etc. anymore than he wanted to stir up controversy. What a damn shame...
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