Melancholia Film Analysis

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Melancholia Film Analysis

The movie Melancholia combines the themes of family, romance, and the end of the world. The director wants to normalize the story of the world ending. He does not even treat it like news. This is evidenced by the lack of cameras rolling, superheroes trying to save the day, and scientists trying to wonder what might have caused the present state. The people continue to have a party despite the looming danger. They do not even discuss the events that are happening at the party. There are no news reports delivering breaking news and updates every few seconds. To the director, the narrative is fictional reality. It is something that could happen in his present world. This form of narrative is also evident in the plot. The director has created normal family drama with no apologies. He has presented the characters as fully human with faults, which they do not even try to hide. The family is dysfunctional and it is clear that the members have a hard time getting along with each other. However, the director has not overly dramatized the dysfunctional nature of the family. He shows that despite any existing tensions, the family does share some intimate and joyous moments together.

The director has used cinematography to emphasize the main theme of the story and its settings, and to highlight the nature of the characters. The colors and the lighting used at various times of the story are important in presenting the helpless nature of the characters. They enhance the setting by highlighting the mood of the setting, which largely reflect the characters emotions as well. In this movie, it is important for the director to create a mood that fits in with the melancholy nature. This is especially the case when he is demonstrating Juliane’s struggle with depression. In the final scene, the characters sit quietly as they wait for the coming doom. The production design at this particular scene is particularly interesting because it shows that the characters cannot do anything about their situation. They are at a place where they cannot worry or hide. They understand that trying to run will not solve their problems. The director achieves this in the last scene when the two sisters sit together under a shelter.

The use of music helps to create and enhance emotions in film. It can enable the audience to relate better with, and to understand the characters. Music is instrumental in the movie. The director opted to use one main opera piece in the beginning and he introduced the same piece later in the movie. The story has some romantic elements in it but the main idea behind it is the tragedy that is coming. However, the director’s use of music is more in line with romance than it is with tragedy. The repetitive nature of the music in different scenes of the movie is important. A person is forced to remember the particular scenes that comprised of the specific movie. This is important when the director wants to highlight and emphasize something in the movie. The music heightens the emotional impact of the specific scenes. The sound techniques are also important in helping to dramatize the events of a particular scene. During the movie, there are different sound combinations of music and the approaching planet. The decision to include music when this is happening helps in signifying the importance of the event. In the final scenes, it is possible to hear the combination of the music with the sounds of the planet as it is approaching the earth. This is important because it dramatizes the situation and presents it in an overwhelming way. This not only captures and heightens the emotions of the viewer but it also helps to create a different atmosphere aimed at showing the impending doom.

The director has employed a lot of creativity in the movie. He has chosen to start the movie by giving viewers the chance to see a prologue. This gives him the chance to introduce some of the characters and other elements in the movie. The inclusion of two shadows to everything is important. It makes the viewers aware that there is something else extraordinary that is going on in the movie. The director has chosen a grim subject which concern depression and sadness. The name of the movie is symbolic because it represents Juliane’s condition as she is depressed. Her parents struggle to form a cordial and familial relationship with the children and with each other. The father is represented as a narcissist and the mother’ honesty does nothing much to unite the family. The inclusion of these characteristics of the parents is important as it helps the audience understand Juliane better. It becomes possible to see that Juliane’s condition has an origin. Her condition began from somewhere and the director shows this without necessarily placing the blame on anybody. Justine seems to be in a better situation when she learns of the planet that is approaching the earth. She is not afraid and she does not appear to be depressed anymore. This contrasts hugely with her emotions at and before the wedding.