MovieChat Forums > Melancholia (2011) Discussion > Resembles Bipolarity, or even Autism... ...

Resembles Bipolarity, or even Autism... rather than Depression

posted 9 years ago by carpathianwolff
7 replies | jump to latest

If the theme of this film was truly about Depression... then Von Trier was certainly overstating things... I'll buy that it was a film resembling Depression, from an Autistic mind.

Every actor in this film seemed be missing their "soul" (if you care to believe that human beings have a soul)... probably from the "wooden" and "emotionless" performances (except when experiencing 'melancholy'... which is again overstated), no doubt demanded by Von Trier... it truly came across like "pretentious drivel"...

every actor seemed to either be emotionally damaged or seemed to take immense satisfaction in "kicking someone when they are down"... completely overstating the supposed 'themes' of this film.

It would make more sense if it was more about the difficulties in being around other people... more like autistics or people who are bipolar.

[–] Joeyjag_97 9 years ago

*sigh*

I wonder when people are going to get it through their thick heads, Melancholia is about Depression, end of story. Von Trier even stated that it was, but what the hell let's just ignore the f^cking Director.

“If one devalues rationality, the world tends to fall apart.”

[–] BarelyHere 8 years ago

If people aren't getting that, or they need the director to tell them that, then Von Trier failed at conveying it.

Censorship is advertising paid by the government.

[–] Joeyjag_97 8 years ago

No it just means people are stupid.

"You're not a standup guy today, Pat!"

[–] trixietrx 8 years ago

If people aren't getting that, or they need the director to tell them that, then Von Trier failed at conveying it.

Nope. It's absolutely depression. Not sure if people understand how hard it is to describe a major depressive episode to someone who's never encountered one. This movie made me feel understood. And perhaps I should remember to tell people to watch it next time they ask me what it's like, although I hope to never go through that again. Just the remnants now are enough to drive people away.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] WileyDairyGnome 8 years ago

"It would make more sense if it was more about the difficulties in being around other people... more like autistics or people who are bipolar"

So let me guess, you took psych 101 and you suddenly think you're an expert on mental illness? Haha jesus. Nothing about her seemed like she was autistic...like where are you even getting that? As someone who is suffering from depression, it is absolute HELL being around other people at times, sometimes I can't even leave the house because being around people makes me feel worse. When I'm around people who understand what i'm going through and who support me, I feel pretty good but depression can make you extremely irritable at times. This movie conveyed it quite well. It is a complex illness.

I don't doubt that she could have depression along with another illness but writing depression off all together when it is conveyed so damn well is...odd to me ha. But hey, you're entitled to your opinion.

[–] sarahjane-47535 8 years ago

I suffer from clinical depression, and it's actually exactly as depicted in the movie, at least for me. It's not a feeling of sadness at all. It's numbness, meaninglessness, the lack of an ability to feel anything other than suffocating darkness and dread. You feel separate from the rest of the world, as if they're living in a different reality from yours. Like everyone else is on the other side of a pane of glass.