Breaking the Waves
Seen it?1996 | 159 min | Drama, Romance
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (85% on Rotten Tomatoes), it drew serious awards attention and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 39 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- It's long: 2 hr 39 min.
In a small, conservative Scottish village, an oilman is paralyzed in an accident. His wife, who prayed for his return, feels guilty; even more, when he urges her to have sex with another.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.5 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Cannes award: Cannes Film Festival: Best Cinematography. Also nominated for 1 Oscar, 2 Golden Globes and 1 BAFTA. Plus 15 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$23 million worldwide on a $8 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 223K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Lars von Trier
- Emily WatsonBess McNeill
- Stellan SkarsgårdJan Nyman
- Katrin CartlidgeDodo McNeill
- Jean-Marc BarrTerry
- Adrian RawlinsDr. Richardson
- Jonathan HackettPriest
- Sandra VoeMother
- Udo KierSadistic Sailor
- Mikkel GaupPits
- Roef RagasPim