Popular reviews

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  Review by toni ★★★★

  Lars Von Trier's films got me through a bad time in my life by making it worse

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  Review by Ayo Edebiri 3

  I rewatched this last week at some point and of course felt horrible for the whole rest of my day

  This is one of my dad’s favorite movies which I feel is something no child should have to know about their father ❤️

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  Review by Bunny🐰🪓 ★★★★★ 5

  This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

  When Lars Von Trier redefined romance.

  The story is about a woman named Bess a simple, God-fearing woman whose life turns from a fairy tale to a hell hole after her husband gets paralyzed due to an unfortunate accident while working on an oil rig, as he asks his wife to see other men and tell him her experience with them when he is unable to have sex with her.

  Shot with a bleached-out lens which is enough to give you a hint that this ain't going to be your just another romantic drama flick, lars makes sure to take its audience in those dark and less travelled allies, while draining its characters to the core.

  A remarkable debut of…

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  Review by Sarah ★★★★★

  the only breaking was my heart, and the only waves were my tears

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  Review by Naughty aka Juli Norwood ★★★★★ 11

  One of my favorite Lars von Trier's films! It evoked a wide range of emotions out of me! I emphasized with Bess to the point I wanted to give a Tony Jaa trademark double flying knee kick to the face of the smug villagers whom decided she was not worthy of them or god! Definitely got my dander up, I believe smoke was coming out of my ears at one point!

  Emily Watson (Bess) gave one of the most genuine, heartfelt performances I have ever witnessed on the big screen! Stellan Skarsgård as always gave a powerful performance! Which was a real treat for me as I consider him to be one of the greatest actors alive!

  As beautiful as it is wickedly disturbing!

  An ending that will leave you completely gobsmacked!

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  Review by Justin Peterson ★★★★★ 2

  The name Bess can mean either 'pledged to God', or 'God is my oath', which is so fitting for the extraordinary lead female character in Breaking the Waves played by Emily Watson.

  "But you're with me now? ... Of course I am, Bess. You know that."

  This masterfully provocative and emotional film from Lars von Trier questions all ideas of what it truly means to be faithful to your spouse under the eyes of God. And contrasts the actions Bess takes to honor that vow against the morals of society, and the laws of her Church.

  I adore the music of this film, especially during those nearly still chapter title shots. Plus that ending still blew me away on a rewatch. For much more on my thoughts on Breaking the Waves check out my original review.

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  Review by mary ★★★★½ 16

  forgive me father for I have sinned for feeling extremely miserable over a lars von trier movie

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  Review by Lucy ★★★ 3

  “are you sure that’s what you want?”

  emily watson gives a stellar and unique performance, but otherwise this only just held my attention. recently my fascination with how lars lays out his morbid stories keep me invested in them, but here that seems to fall short. there’s always a generous amount of anguish, but it felt less affecting and the ending less meaningful here. almost pointless. he’s a mess and a hot pile of garbage as a person anyways, but i’m unfortunately still oddly drawn to putting myself through more of his films. oh well

  also, this was my last movie on filmstruck. rest in peace 😣

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  Review by 🥳 Benjamin 🎉 Rosser 🎊 ★★★★

  Why did I watch this. It said Lars von Trier right there on the cover, no one to blame but myself.

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  Review by dylan gelula ★★★★★ 2

  its not fair when emily watson does such an astoundingly beautiful job in this movie to say this here but the bottom line is that katrin cartlidge is one of my favorite actors of all time and i've only seen her in three things. anyway the performances in this movie are remarkable... i wish everyone casting their things were required to check a box that indicates "yes my actors are as good as the three leads of breaking the waves"

  this movie is so brilliant... and those interludes where you just look at a screen saver and listen to like a full minute of Life On Mars or Goodbye Yellow Brick Road are so cool

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  Review by Edgar Cochran ★★★★★ 2

  A few alternate chapter titles:

  Prologue: Naivety
  Chapter 1: Breaking the Waves
  Chapter 2: Blossoming
  Chapter 3: Existentialism
  Chapter 4: Soul longings
  Chapter 5: Uncertainty
  Chapter 6: Faith
  Chapter 7: Divine justice
  Epilogue: Church bells

  Conclusions:

  1) Cinéma vérité at its modernly best.
  2) Von Trier's modification of his direction style was a brave thing to do and it was hugely successful.
  3) Emily Watson's flawless acting brings the days of Vredens Dag to remembrance.

  96/100

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  Review by Mike D'Angelo ★★★★½ 2

  81/100

  A.V. Club review. Third viewing, first since 2000; sheer emotional power finally overcame my distaste at the film's portrait of an Old Testament God (which is largely a visceral reaction to the final shot). I'd forgotten how many times Bess looks at the camera—there's probably a thesis about Von Trier as the film's true deity there.