Review of Disgrace (2008) by Peter V — 21 Sep 2009
Am I in a parallel universe? I cannot agree with the praise being heaped on this film on the basis that it's a fine and literary, allegorical piece of cinema. Claptrap! The "morality" represented in the daughter's "quiet acceptance" of her brutal rape - and the idea that her acceptance is a noble metaphor for reconciliation is utterly dysfunctonal.
Rape is rape and complicity for it is plain wrong. John Malkovich is very very good - but very very cold. The idea that his character's crime, an abuse of power in sleeping with a student, should be equated with a brutal rape, robbery and assault is to me bizarre.
Most of the performances in this film are excellent, but highly dislikeable and to me, this story is deeply flawed and plain cruel. I cannot believe the "resolution" would be acceptable to most South Africans with a sense of wrong and right.
Instead, it's 'acceptable' only as intellectual fodder for people bored with classic storytelling. Strangely compelling but ultimately unsatisfying and disturbing.
This review of Disgrace (2008) was written by Peter V on 21 Sep 2009.
Disgrace has generally received positive reviews.
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