Review of Disgrace (2008) by Chris Z — 06 Apr 2011

Wow. I know the next book on my reading list. I don't even know how to begin unpacking the layers of allegory and metaphor in this film. This film needs an entire class dedicated to its analysis, at least for me to grasp all the symbolism happening here.

Stick with it, the craft here is very subtle, the surface is very simple, but the guts of it spill out all over you. John Malkovich is a brilliant casting decision, as is Jessica Haines. The whole film Malkovich's character is struggling to be the villain, and somehow fails.

And then Haines's character somehow manages to be the hardest decision-maker of all, and does so through almost a kind of abject surrender. This film is a portrait of what happens when the center suddenly discovers that it does not control the landscape, but is instead thoroughly surrounded by the periphery.

This film requires repeat viewings and debate.