As was with his previous Breaking the Waves, Lars von Trier, the director, also here lets his character go through much suffering, though not portrayed in as painful a manner. This is helped by the enjoyable musical moments, made all the better by the supreme voice and compositions of Björk, who also plays that unlucky heroine.
The relationship this protagonist of ours has with the prison guard is quite touching. This is helped a lot by the portrayal of that guard, by Siobhan Fallon, who gives my most favorite performance of the movie.