Breaking the Waves

In one of the most compelling and heartwrenching dramas ever made, Emily Watson gives a breakout performance as a backward young woman destroyed by her all-consuming love for her new husband when he is paralyzed in an oil-rigging accident. Very strong supporting perfs by Stellan Skarsgård, as the husband, and Katrin Cartlidge, as Watson's sister-in-law, help make this writer-director Lars von Trier's finest film to date, winning numerous awards as well as a place on over 75 of 1996's Top Ten lists. Powerful storytelling and filmmaking earn our highest recommendation. Editor's Choice. (S. C. Sickles)[Blu-ray/DVD Combo Review—Apr. 22, 2014—Criterion, 159 min., R, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $39.95—Making its first appearance on DVD and Blu-ray, 1996's Breaking the Waves sports a great transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Extras include select scene audio commentary from director Lars von Trier, editor Anders Refn, and location scout Anthony Dod Mantle (48 min.); deleted and extended scenes (13 min.); interviews with costars Emily Watson (18 min.), Stellan Skarsgard (13 min.), and Adrian Rawlins (3 min.), as well as an interview with critic Stig Bjorkman (11 min.); excerpts from Watson's audition tape, with commentary by von Trier (3 min.); a deleted scene featuring late costar Katrin Cartlidge (2 min.); a brief Cannes Film Festival promo clip; and a booklet with an essay by critic David Sterritt and an excerpt from the 1999 book Trier on von Trier. Bottom line: a controversial contemporary classic makes a welcome high-def debut.]