Review of Dogville (2003) by Laura E — 25 Oct 2008

This is brilliant. Oh man, what a movie. Lars von Trier is a true auteur and there's absolutely no denying it. Good God. I could go on for hours about this movie but I try to sum it up. Visually this is like no other.

Even if you haven't seen this you are more than likely to have heard about the use of a soundstage as the set and it's absolutlely brilliant. It takes about five minutes and after that you don't even notice it.

What this does is that the movie is solely based on the performances because it gives you absolutely nothing more that that. The actors are on the stage all the time because there are no walls. And this kind of approach wouldn't work at all if the performances weren't superb.

And they really are in this one. Nicole Kidman is absolutely amazing, propably her best performance ever in this one. Yeah, really. It's all about her face. The character goes through so much in this film it's almost unbearable to watch.

So intense and powerful but still so beautiful and, well graceful. And the supporting cast is also great. Paul Bettany is such a pussy, James Caan is one of the coolest guys ever and this movie has one of the greatest narrations ever by John Hurt.

And then the story. I mean what can you say? I think Lars von Trier and myself are somewhat soulmates based on this one because it's exactly like something I would make myself. Everything seems to be fine in the beginning but there's always something bubbling under.

Then it starts to fall to pieces and it's all about the pain and suffering. But in the end it's always payback time. And the ending of this movie is one of the most satisfying and cathartic endings I have EVER seen.

Oh man! It's horrible and awful and just bloody perfect! And to end this with Bowie singing "Young Americans" just put the finishing touch on this twisted and disturbing little american fairytale.

I feel like this movie was made for me and it raises a more important question than what this movie is about: What the hell is wrong with me!? Or is there anything? This is a masterpiece that everyone should see.

Oh, and did I mention that this movie where fifteen people wander around an empty black soundstage talking to each other is three hours long? Trust me: you don't want to miss this one.