Reviews

Oh my! I saw this movie yesterday and was entirely entralled! Lars Von Trier does an unimaginable work, with this highly symbolic story he narrates us. Purely an allegory on human nature, it is a movie where each actor works as a symbol. The messages the film tries to convey are several, of course: the most apparent one is that power corrupts. Even the superficially simple and good people of Dogville cannot resist the gift given to them: Grace. The box of Pandora opens and each and every one of them, men, women, old people, even the children take turns on her. The movie, quite brutally, makes us understand how easily humans are lured by power. The character of Grace (obviously not an accidental selection of name) is of course the one on centre amidst this drama, with Kidman portraying Grace as a woman of nearly divine forgiveness (originally), a martyr who silently endures the torments. Generally, Dogville represents the entire world, like a miniature of the human society: the weak and vulnerable ones become prey to the others. I don't think that the movie is exclusively anti-americanic (though definitely Trier has consciously inserted some anti-americanic elements, like the 4th of July dinner or the end credits, in the way I got it, at least). I think the film also applies to a universal level and shows that everyone, whether currently powerful or powerless, has a potential for evil and manipulation. The best part of the story, after all, is that the Dogville people never really perceived doing something wrong. Of course, this can evade discussions about the similar ways the American Imperium invaded a country lately in the name of international peace and so on, but I really don't want to initiate arguments about these matters in this board, so let's just focus on the way Trier is unmasking the hypocrisy of our society in general, and not just of the American society. Anyway, I don't have anything else to say, just that it was one of the most remarkable experiences of my life and it was even better the way Trier presented it, with this Brecht-like theatrical style of his. It was truly like viewing a play, or an Greek tragedy and it was purely delightful! Best movie of the year for me!

(WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS)

Having heard all these rumors about the enormously explicit and graphic scenes of sex/violence, I decided to rush in theaters to view a film quite unique, that caused either extreme disgustion or intense enthusiasm. Well, the film did contain some scenes that were purely unbearable to watch-the insufferable rape scene, the murder of the pimp which was remarkably realistic, thus horrific and a few others. But I strongly disagree that life shouldn't be portrayed the way it is-unless, there is a reason for that, that is. Cinema should offer us images based upon life and realistic circumstances and this is a story that could happen-actually, it has probably happened. I am not always standing for artists who shock just to impress and generally provoke pointlessly-but Noe is not one of them. There is a story here, reversed of course, but a story that has things to say. Well, generally I don't count this as a masterpiece but it remains one high-quality movie and pretty inspired, too. I also have to note that perhaps one of the users that noted this may have all been a "dream-like" thing, was correct. We indeed get to see some final scenes with a Bellucci being pregnant, she seems to be already in the first months of her pregnancy when sitting in the grass in the wonderful final scene. But when Monica is raped, her slender body implies no trace of pregancy. Also, the fact that Bellucci in the final scenes occupies herself with the pregancy and the fact the film generally follows another path, makes us suspect that perhaps the nightmare within the red tunnell was indeed tunnell. Anyway, it was a sensational movie that will nonetheless remain forever in your mind-for good or ill.