Breaking the Waves (1996)
Average Rating: 8.2/10
Reviews Counted: 43
Fresh: 37 | Rotten: 6
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 8/10
Critic Reviews: 8
Fresh: 7 | Rotten: 1
No consensus yet.
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Average Rating: 4.1/5
User Ratings: 29,871
My Rating
Movie Info
With Breaking The Waves, director Lars von Trier fashions an often disturbing tale of the singular power of love. Bess (the Oscar-nominated Emily Watson) is a naïve, borderline simple young woman who lives in a Scottish coastal town ruled by the religious doctrine of its council of elders. Recovering from a mental breakdown caused by the death of her brother, Bess marries a rough yet compassionate and attentive oil rig worker named Jan (Stellan Skarsgård). For a brief time, the couple enjoys
Nov 29, 1996 Wide
Jul 26, 2005
Artisan Entertainment
Cast
-
Emily Watson
Bess McNeill -
-
Katrin Cartlidge
Dodo McNeill -
Jean-Marc Barr
Terry -
Adrian Rawlins
Dr. Richardson -
Sandra Voe
Bess' Mother -
Mikal Gaup
Pits -
Udo Kier
Sadistic Sailor -
Phil McCall
Grandfather -
-
Gavin Mitchell
Policeman -
David Gallacher
Glasgow Doctor -
Ray Jeffries
Man on Bus -
Roef Ragas
Pim -
Finlay Welsh
Coroner -
Charles Kearney
Praying Man -
Robert Robertson
Chairman -
Sarah Gudgeon
Sybilla -
Brian Smith
Police Officer -
Iain Agnew
Praying Man -
David Bateson
Young Sailor -
Peter Bensted
Ugly Man -
Callum Cuthbertson
Radio Operator -
Bob Docherty
Man on Boat -
Simon Towler Jorfald
Boy in Film -
Owen Kavanagh
Man at Lighthouse -
Steven Leach
Praying Man -
Ronnie McKellaig
Precentor -
Desmond Reilly
Elder -
Dorte Rømer
Nurse -
John Wark
Boy -
Jonathan Hackett
Priest
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All Critics (66) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (37) | Rotten (6) | DVD (4)
Von Trier may put his characters and the viewer through the ringer, yet his empathy toward both is unmistakable.
Here is a film that makes you feel like you've read the novel, seen the movie, and lived the life of a protagonist more empathetic than any other. You just might need a stiff drink afterward.
A powerful tear-jerker romantic drama that intriguingly also brings religion into the mix.
The synopsis doesn't begin to do justice to the psychological and emotional complexities of the tale.
The actors are superb. [But] it is the easiest thing in the world to do ... move people by destroying something beautiful.
Unforgettable
Will introduce the experimental director to a wider American audience.
Audience Reviews for Breaking the Waves
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Foreign Titles
- Rompiendo las olas (ES)
