The Five Obstructions (2003)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Drew S

  
  The penultimate film screened in the Lars von Trier course I took, this is a really fascinating, direct look at the obsession with mimicry and the simulacrum present in von Trier's previous work. It is, above all, a look at a supremely insecure auteur putting on a character with… More
  The penultimate film screened in the Lars von Trier course I took, this is a really fascinating, direct look at the obsession with mimicry and the simulacrum present in von Trier's previous work. It is, above all, a look at a supremely insecure auteur putting on a character with which to present his work to an expectant public, and the interface of that character with another director who seems wholly unconcerned with such frivolities. von Trier is as much a performer as the actors in the films he creates; his films cannot be comprehensively critically evaluated without looking at the singular creative force behind them, as auteur theory postulates. Here he turns the camera on himself, playing himself, playing an artist at odds with another artist, and the results are mind-boggling to say the least. We are meant to assume that he sees himself in Jorgen Leth in some capacity, especially as outlined by the final letter that he has Leth read, but more subtly in his attempts to "scar" Leth with the challenges he imposes upon him. Telling is von Trier's frustration when Leth rises to those challenges every single time. I think The Five Obstructions is valuable for how it reduces the concept of the auteur to a mere person, with his own foibles and defects. It doesn't necessarily divorce him from the art he creates; think of this somewhat as reality television for filmmakers, taking a pair of talented individuals and pitting them against each other in a series of challenges. The only catch here is that there is no reward, short of psychological fulfillment or defeat. Ultimately, the game is in von Trier's hands, and the way he plays it should hold considerable fascination for anyone interested in a thorough dissection of the personal process of filmmaking.

• Lanning :

  
  I noted the time I stopped watching this: 45 minutes into the film. Holy Hannah, it goes on for another 45 minutes according to the jacket. I've spent a long 45 minutes many times in my life. A few oral surgeries come to mind. And only halfway there. Watching the entire… More
  I noted the time I stopped watching this: 45 minutes into the film. Holy Hannah, it goes on for another 45 minutes according to the jacket. I've spent a long 45 minutes many times in my life. A few oral surgeries come to mind. And only halfway there. Watching the entire thing would be the equivalent of surviving botched oral surgery, with ensuing complications even. I quote the entire Netflix blurb, the one that suckered idiot me in: <p>Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier, a leader in the Dogme 95 movement (which eschewed artificial lighting and props and promoted digital video), is legendary for his one-of-a-kind approach to moviemaking and the memorable fruits of his labors. In this collaboration with fellow director Jorgen Leth, von Trier challenges Leth to remake his 1967 movie <i>The Perfect Human</i> and documents the entire process, allowing viewers to see two geniuses at work. <p> Allowing? Allowing! Oh, mahalo nui loa for the crumbs. Flixster friends, I would call your attention to the word "geniuses." Now I know I'm not a smart man. Perfect proof of this fact is that I often make the stupid assumption that when someone uses a word, say a word like "genius" or "geniuses," that this use of the word somehow matches my own idea of what the word means. In this case, I am disappointed in my clueless assumption yet again. I am not watching my idea of geniuses at work here. What I am watching is two very self-absorbed guys, who aren't geniuses in my universe, playing an irritating game, and that game is boring me to death. If only one of them would pull out a gun and introduce the ultimate obstruction -- killing the other one so the pain/film would end abruptly -- like unexpectedly opening the door so that the string goes taught in surprise and pulls the tooth out instantly, when you least expect it. A move like that would be pure genius in my personal dictionary. <p> Walter, if you haven't already guessed it, I have another winner for our little list. <p>Even worse, I'm particularly po'd right this minute because, in wasting time watching this piece of cruft, I just realized I've missed two-thirds of a two-hour documentary on Thelonius Monk. Dare I say, a "genius" in my book. Borat this borating movie.

• Eric B

  
  The premise of "The Five Obstructions" suggests a pretentious egghead jerk-off but, surprisingly, this is one of director Lars Von Trier's most watchable films. Perhaps it's because his Danish comrade Jorgen Leth supplies so much of the content. In 1967, Leth… More
  The premise of "The Five Obstructions" suggests a pretentious egghead jerk-off but, surprisingly, this is one of director Lars Von Trier's most watchable films. Perhaps it's because his Danish comrade Jorgen Leth supplies so much of the content. In 1967, Leth directed a 13-minute short titled "The Perfect Human." It's a stark, colorless film where most action occurs within a shapeless, white void. There are just two onscreen actors. A man and a woman, drolly presented as the ultimate examples of our species, simulate various mundane behaviors while deadpan narrator Leth describes their activity. It's a film with a curious, aloof appeal that's difficult to articulate. Decades later, Von Trier tests his friend Leth to remake this short five times while obeying some perverse, arbitrary rules (or "obstructions"). Von Trier's apparent goal is to tear down the protective artifice of filmmaking and force Leth to "expose" himself. The stipulations include having no shot longer than 12 frames, Leth taking the lead role, filming in Cuba, filming in the most miserable location Leth knows (answer: a crowded Mumbai slum) and even making a cartoon (a form that both men openly detest). Von Trier is a notorious character with oft-observed sadistic tendencies and, indeed, there is something unsettling about his manner. His mix of cruel demands, polite demeanor and a tiny, crafty smile recalls Nazi stereotypes (regardless of his recent Hitler-related controversy). But the affectionate rapport between him and Leth is sweet. Also, the resulting five shorts are quite entertaining. "The Five Obstructions" is incredibly self-indulgent, but film nerds will enjoy this gentle battle of wits.

• Mike N

  
  *strums guitar* A mole has burrowed into my lungs, you see He laughs in cough and speaks in wheeze He claws out my throat and rations my air This troublesome mole isn't being very fair [i]dooo dododooo dododooooot[/i] A cloud has burrowed… More
  *strums guitar* A mole has burrowed into my lungs, you see He laughs in cough and speaks in wheeze He claws out my throat and rations my air This troublesome mole isn't being very fair [i]dooo dododooo dododooooot[/i] A cloud has burrowed into my head, you see I wobble when it dances and echo when it sings It blocks my thought and puts walls in my mind This troublesome cloud isn't being very kind [i]dooo dododooo dododooooot[/i] A pirate has burrowed into my nose, you see He digs for gold boulders so carelessly He arr's and he yarr's in my snores at night This troublesome pirate isn't being very right [i]dooo dododooo dododooooot[/i] [i]dooo dododooo dododooooot[/i] [i]doot [/i]*sleeps*

• matt s

  
  It was interesting to see how Lars von Trier tried to punish his idol, and some of these obstructions are quite entertaining. The main problem I have with this film is the sort of preachy ending. The message of the film and the challenges get muddled a bit and it makes it seem that… More
  It was interesting to see how Lars von Trier tried to punish his idol, and some of these obstructions are quite entertaining. The main problem I have with this film is the sort of preachy ending. The message of the film and the challenges get muddled a bit and it makes it seem that von Trier was just doing all this to put his name on something that was bigger than him and his works. Interesting, for sure, but also pretentious. I'm sure there's a noted backstory to this, a flailing old-school avant-garde director and a new school guy going head to head. This film does not portray those same interesting tidbits, and it bares a huge question, "Was the original Perfect Human that great to begin with?"

• Robert F

  
  Both an intriguing intellectual exercise and an amusing look at the contrasts between the two filmmakers.

• Sean L

  
  Should be mandatory viewing for all aspiring filmmakers. This is a portrait of how one incredible artist can take a former work and completely update and reinvent it. Jorgen Leth is an absolute hero and he proves more than capable when it comes to meeting the challenges of… More
  Should be mandatory viewing for all aspiring filmmakers. This is a portrait of how one incredible artist can take a former work and completely update and reinvent it. Jorgen Leth is an absolute hero and he proves more than capable when it comes to meeting the challenges of pretentious ass Lars Von Trier. This movie made me want to make a movie, and that is the best praise I can give it. Look for it entering my top favorite movies list some time soon.

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