Oh lordy. Von Trier fans get ready, our favorite Danish lunatic has seriously got a masterpiece on his hands.
I heard all the reviews and blurbs, but what I saw was completely different than what I expected. Considering the set-up (it's on a stage, no real sets) and design, I was expecting a very presentational film. Surprisingly enough, it was quite visual and stunning. The cast is top notch (my only gripe is that a few players were underused-- Jeremy Davies, Lauren Bacall) and we even get to see old Sydney himself in action. Kidman rocks and Paul Bettany is quite good as well. Contrary to everything that I've heard-- the movie is actually quite funny.
The best part: the end seems to fall into typical Von Trier-sacrifical-lamb territory, but then turns quite suddenly into something we've all been waiting for and wanting. A couple "oh shit!" moments to boot. All around, a great film, definitely to be one of the year's best.
It's a travesty that Kidman wins Oscars for fake noses and 20 min. of screen time, this is something she should win for. Balls out acting with nothing to hide behind.