Depression and family dynamics in Lars von Trier's Melancholia

¶ … Melancholia in Film

Melancholia

Depicting Melancholia in Film: Melancholia

The film Melancholia (2011), directed by Lars von Trier, is a science fiction film about the end of the world viewed through the eyes of a melancholic. The melancholic is Justine, who is played by Kirsten Dunst, and the end of the world is caused by the planet Melancholia crashing into earth. One of the more important relationships in the movie is between Justine and her sister Claire. Throughout most of the film, Justine is in the midst of a depressive episode while Claire acts as a caretaker; however, at the very end of the film the roles of invalid and caretaker are reversed as Claire begins to panic and Justine manages both Claire's and Claire's son's fear in the face of imminent death.

Although there is a prologue that casts a sense of foreboding on the initially happy and joyful wedding reception that took place during the first half of the film, any pretense at happiness is quickly discarded as Justine's inner demons begin to interact with her immediate family. Justine's depressive episode appears to be triggered by her mother's inability to wish her well during the wedding reception. Her father is emotionally detached from her daughter's life, which may have forced Justine to adopt her mother's cynical world view. Her sister is simultaneously controlling and caring, but her brother in-law lacks an ability to tolerate Justine's illness except in the presence of Claire.

Accuracy of the Film's Portrayal of Depression

Both the director and Dunst suffer from depression (Bradshaw, 2011), so it should come as little surprise that the symptoms of depression were accurately depicted. Justine is obviously depressed throughout most of the movie, regardless of what time of day it is. After Justine arrives in the cab, every scene in which she is present reveals her depressed mood. She never laughs, her smiles are more courteous than felt, her face perpetually sags, and her eyes ooze melancholy and hopelessness. During the days following Justine's arrival at her sister's home, she is often depicted as semi-comatose and therefore suffering from hypersomnia. This state has nothing to do with the impending death of planet Earth.

During her most depressed moods, Justine obviously suffers from anhedonia. The idea of taking a bath is repulsive and her favorite meal tasted like ashes. When her nephew tries to connect with her in the bedroom, Justine is completely unresponsive. There is also a perception that Justine has no interest in eating during here lowest moods. When Claire tries to get her to take a warm bath, the scene begins with the hotel concierge and Claire holding up Justine as they shuffle towards the bathroom. Next to the bath filled with warm water, Claire is holding Justine erect and urging her to step into the bath. Justine is incapable of performing this simple act. When Claire continues to urge her to get in, Justine begins to rebel in an infantile, pre-verbal manner by moaning and collapsing to the floor. The bath scene seems to convey an unspoken need to embrace her melancholy.