10 Movies Too Excruciating To Watch More Than Once
2. Dancer In The Dark (2000)
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Lars Von Trier is one of the great masters when it comes to making the kinds of movies that you probably won't want to watch twice (if ever). Usually that's because his films are littered with moments of genuine shock and intentional debauchery, but with Dancer In The Dark, it's an entirely different story. Believe or not, this movie stars Icelandic singer Björk in the lead role, and she's absolutely sensational in every frame. It's also a musical. The plot concerns a sweet factory worker who is going blind, and is attempting to save money for an operation so that her child - inflicted with her genes - doesn't have to go blind, too. Whereas that might've made for a traditionally inspiring story, and one which might've given light to a happier ending, Von Trier refuses to give his protagonist any hope: every one of her kind gestures is met with either negativity, betrayal or tragedy. It's perhaps a testament to Dancer In The Dark's inherent sadism that, having starred in the movie, Björk retired from acting forever, deeming the process far too painful. And though Dancer In The Dark is, ultimately, a movie that will drive you out of your mind with its relentlessly depressing nature, it's a wonderful, inspired movie that deserves at least one viewing. If you can't handle another? Maybe that's the point.