The Idiots Details

This film is something special

Dogme number 2 revolves around a group of middle-class dropouts who spend their time pretending to be mentally and physically handicapped in public places. We see the group through the eyes of Karen who joins them out of curiousity as much as the need to fill a void in her life. The group continue to push each other to new heights of 'spazzing' and tensions also start to rise.

Lars Von Trier is a director who likes to provoke a reaction, any reaction, and he certainly succeeds with 'The Idiots'. Shocking, subversive and often very funny, the film defies description. Von Trier coaxes incredible performances from his fearless cast. Interesting and brave points are made about society's attitude to the disabled and instead of revulsion the group occasionally provokes our empathy. The film develops a cumulative power which makes the final scenes overpowering in their raw emotion.

Von Trier has an undeniable ability to find an exposed nerve and attack it mercilessly. While this means 'The Idiots' is often extremely uncomfortable viewing, it's a devastating experience. 'The Idiots' stands as one of the most important films of the 90's. Groundbreaking, original and simply brilliant.

Von Trier self-consciously pushes a lot of audience buttons and in some ways he obviously wants to offend, but his films are alive with possibilities in a way that few directors can compare to. They force you to react and to form opinions about them and the subjects he is exploring. The Idiots has scenes that are hysterically funny, heartbreakingly sad and sometimes unashamedly erotic, all filled with an incredible tension since unlike most films, you are never sure what the next moment will bring. This stunningly provocative comedy-drama might be just the thing for anyone who is bored and jaded with the conservative nature of mainstream American and British cinema. Not everyone will like it, but they won't forget it.