How others will see it. There is only a limited audience for Dancer in the Dark. As a character study, it is engrossing. As a declaration against the death penalty, it is effective. As a soundtrack, it has more to say than most, courtesy of Bjork's eccentric vocals. Bjork is a natural avant-garde singer, indifferent to genre. The melody and lyrics of the source material are recognizable, but the words are stretched, twisted, or clipped until a new song emerges, one closer to Bjork's intimate, feminine, and chaotic soul.
As a movie, Dancer in the Dark is difficult to watch, particularly its final half hour. Most audiences will be uncomfortable with it, at best. Much of the footage has the feel of an unnarrated documentary. But there are several staged fantasy scenes, where Bjork sings and positively misinterprets her circumstances. These waking dream sequences usually end badly for Selma.
How I felt about it. Although Bill is directly the cause of Selma's difficulties, she partly brings them upon herself. She is completely focused on providing Gene's operation, and is willing to sacrifice herself if necessary. Neglecting your own fate is an unwise course. Selma loses her role, her job, her home, her freedom, her life. Because it's a movie, Gene presumably gets his operation, and it is presumably successful. In real life, Gene may have been better off if Selma admitted to all that she was blind, and looked after her own interests. If she married Jeff, Gene would have had two fine parents, instead of a lifelong headache trying to understand her mother's actions.
The relationship of Kathy to Selma is like an enabler to an alcoholic. Selma is blind, but she won't tell anyone, because she wants to keep her job, so she can earn money for Gene. Kathy knows Selma is blind, but she won't tell the play director, or the factory manager, or even patient, lovesick Jeff. A disaster is bound to happen, no matter much Kathy hovers around Selma. The disaster occurs, but in unexpected form. We were expecting injury to Selma, instead of another.
This movie will be principally remembered for Bjork's acclaimed performance. Likewise, Bjork will be remembered in cinematic circles for her role as Selma. The casting was admittedly inspired, but Bjork's eccentricities won't necessarily translate well to other parts in other films.