The Idiots (Idioterne) (Dogma 95) (1998)
Average Rating: 6.5/10
Reviews Counted: 30
Fresh: 21 | Rotten: 9
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 4.8/10
Critic Reviews: 5
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 2
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 10,922
My Rating
Movie Info
Lars von Trier wrote (in four days) and directed this Danish comedy-drama about a group of Copenhagen eccentrics who find a therapeutic release and confront apathy via unacceptable, idiotic behavior which they call "spazzing." Stoffer (Jens Albinus) is supposed to be selling his uncle's house but instead it becomes the focal point for geeky group activities. Restaurant patrons are disturbed by the group's mischief, but single diner Karen (Bodil Jorgensen) develops an appreciation of their
Jun 23, 2000 Wide
Sep 26, 2000
USA Films
Cast
-
Bodil Jorgensen
Karen -
Jens Albinus
Stoffer -
Louise Hassing
Susanne -
Troels Lyby
Henrik -
Nikolaj Lie Kaas
Jeppe -
Henrik Prip
Ped -
Luis Mesonero
Miguel -
Louise Mieritz
Josephine -
Knud Romer Jorgensen
Axel -
Trine Michelsen
Nana -
Anne-Grethe Bjarup Riis
Katrine
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All Critics (48) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (21) | Rotten (9) | DVD (5)
The Idiots suggests that if Danish iconoclast Lars von Trier's filmsare getting tougher, they're also continuing to reward the patient.
Top CriticHas nothing on its mind besides the squirming discomfort of its audience.
A tedious, pretentious bore.
A raw, funny, maddening ramble.
The first Dogme film of enfant terrible Lars von Trier challenges viewers to reexamine their social mores and cinema habits of voyeurism and pleasure.
A worthy experiment.
For all the Dogme-ordained restrictions to make the film feel "real," it ends up feeling more artificial.
The least you can say for it is that's it's truly brazen.
Not bad for a dogme movie.
Audience Reviews for The Idiots (Idioterne) (Dogma 95)
But if you want a funny, dirty, smart, irritating, and even infuriating satire of both the bourgeoisie and the bohemians who oppose it, then The Idiots is for you. Von Trier has assembled a furiously talented cast of unknowns to spin this tale of a Danish commune that pretends - to the horror of the middle class masses that surround it - to be a private institution for "retards" and "spastics".
Super Reviewer
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Latest News on The Idiots (Idioterne) (Dogma 95)
July 22, 2009:
RT Interview: Lars von Trier on AntichristIf you go down to the woods today... Well, just don't. Danish provocateur Lars von Trier's arthouse...
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Foreign Titles
- Idioterne (DE)
- The Idiots (UK)
Maybe the film's success as a conventional narrative in the medium is arguable, but I think it's an excellent auteurial curio and an exceptional think piece. It's also sort of hilarious in a way that becomes very dark with a gut-punch of an ending. As with just about all of von Trier's work - not for everyone, but worth at least giving a shot.