Breaking the Waves Movie Review

Breaking the Waves (1996)

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Written by:  Lars von Trier, Peter Asmussen (co-writer)
Directed by: Lars von Trier
Starring:  Emily Watson, Stellan Skarsgård, Katrin Cartlidge
Rated: R
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Plot
Oil rig worker Jan is paralyzed in an accident, and his wife, who prayed for his return feels guilty. Her guilt intensifies when, unable to have a sexual relationship, Jan urges her to have sex with someone else.

Verdict
It's an uncomfortable movie that explores difficult themes. It may be well made, but it's something I'd hesitate to see again. It's filled with authentic moments, but you feel bad for Bess. She's naive and helpless. This connects religion, sex, and guilt. Bess's faith is seen as folly, and it's used to explore marriage and sacrifice.
It depends.

Review
This is a bit of a film buff movie. It starts with a wedding ceremony that felt human and real. The bride, Bess, is strange. She doesn't act like a normal person and when her husband Jan is away for work she doesn't fare well on her own. She prays he comes back to her and that's when this takes a strange turn. Jan returns due to an injury and Bess thinks it's her fault. Her solution to correct the fault, and in some way pay penance, is to debase herself sexually. It's uncomfortable as random men she propositions mistreat her. She sees herself as sacrificing to save Jan. Her friends try to convince her that she isn't affecting his recovery and certainly didn't cause his accident, but Bess believes it is in her control.

We don't know why she decided sexual sins were the required sacrifice. You could argue it was something she held dear, and she's giving up everything but it's open to interpretation. This is a delusional woman that has no idea what love is. You could argue she has strong faith, but that strong faith takes a left turn when she  torments herself. How far is too far?
She's in a borderline abusive relationship. Jan wants her to see other men as his injury prevents him from satisfying Bess sexually. Is he doing this for her or for his own games? It's difficult to watch Bess endure this, unwavering in her misplaced faith.

As Jan gets better you wonder if Bess did accomplish something, but that's the movie luring you in, tricking you. She didn't have the power. Happenstance is not causation.