Review of Dogville (2003) by Tanya K — 13 Aug 2008
As we are all subjects of our environments, who amongst us has the moral right to pass judgement unto others? This might be the controversial question von Trier poses in this incredibly original marriage of theatre and cinema in regards to capital punishment.
Subtly filled with subtext about the hypocrisies of small-town U.S.A., a striking opening scene makes an audience sit up and take notice, while the hand-held style of filming thrusts them right in the middle of the community, making them part of it.
The message at the end of the film is a pessimistic one; if truly judged then nobody is innocent, not even children, and if that is the case, then is the answer the annihilation of an entire community? Reflective of small town life, at almost 3-hours this film takes its time in telling its story, and what a story it is.
At the very end, David Bowie's 'Young Americans' jolts a presumably numb and in shock audience back to their senses by blasting onto the screen over brutally honest images of the poverty-stricken.
Lars von Trier proves he is nothing if not an auteur that is unafraid of taking risks and breaking boundaries in cinema.
This review of Dogville (2003) was written by Tanya K on 13 Aug 2008.
Dogville has generally received very positive reviews.
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