Review of Dogville (2003) by Ben W — 14 Aug 2010

Von trier has done it again. the films 3 hour length is remarkably unobtrusive especially given the fact that the entire film takes place on a stage stripped completely of everything except the bare essentials, including walls, roofs.

...aside from a few props like a couple of beds, tables, and chairs, there are only lines on the floor to suggest separation of place. its a dark story of a girl hunted by the mob for some unknown reason who comes to dogville and is somewhat reluctantly taken in by its few inhabitants to shield her from her pursuers.

she works for everyone in the village throughout the day as repayment, but as time goes on the townspeople begin to show their true colors by taking advantage of her in a variety of ways. suffice it to say, this film does not end in a beautiful, happy fashion, though I would argue, it does end about as appropriately as I coul have expected.

and by the way, have you seen the cast list?! patricia clarkson, ben gazzara, lauren bacall, harriet andersson, udo kier, james caan, stellan skarsgaard, jeremy davies, siobahn fallon, and many of the more widely known.

many dislike the film for its style, but I think it was an interesting way to frame the story which is really more important to this film.