Dogville
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Movie Reviews of Dogville
Movie Review: Bad dogs need to be put Down
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a movie that all humanity needs to see, because that is what it is about...humanity. First and foremost the movie takes place on a soundstage with limited props. One MUST have an open mind (unlike my mom) to watch, enjoy, appreciate, and learn from this movie.
The town of Dogville is set during The Godfather era. It is a small and secluded town away from all towns. Grace (Kidman) is on the run from gangsters and finds herself in the town of Dogville and at the mercy of townleader Thomas Edison. The town agrees to take her in for two weeks, to prove herself, which she does. She is likened by the town, does works for them, all during the rising threat from police in the search for her.
Eventually the town begins to turn. Grace is treated like trash. Men take advantage of her and rape her and then say SHE made the advances. The women increased hostillity and destroyed possession that she had. Her workload was increased and she ran away, but was caught. She was chained up and was continued to be cruely treated, raped, and so on. Eventually the gangsters come back and Dogville may get a taste of its own horrid medacine.
Many people called this movie Anti-American. Dogville is supposed to represent America. I believe that Dogville represents ALL of humanity. The credits section is very emotional aswell. They show black and white snapshots of the horribly poor side of America set to the music of Young Americans by David Bowie. Excellent movie that can be related by everyone. This should be required viewing by all.
Movie Review: Original in a genre where it's all been done before
Summary: 5 Stars
Showcased in a play type stage setting, complete with drawing of a bush or a dog on the floor in chalk with a "mulberry bush" or "dog" label, the movie at first annoys the viewer because it seems "cheap" for a cinema that could have easily had realistic props, but eventually, one realizes that this was necessary because everything is the dialog and the viewer needs to focus on the dialog.
I originally rented this DVD because I like the actress and because the "secret" that the synopsis said Grace possessed, got my attention.
I never thought I'd be taken on a psychological ride where the "good" people becomes worst than the "bad" guys could ever imagine--all in the name of being good. The conversation between the gangster boss and Grace was incredible and hit a political idealistic point: just because someone (America) is powerful and wealthy doesn't mean that they should be held to a higher standard than someone that is less fortunate. The latter might have to work harder and struggle more, but ALL humans should strive to be decent. To give a pass on someone's behavior because they are poor or disadvantage is actually the height of arrogance.
Dogville was the first plot that I didn't figure out within 20 minutes of the movie/story telling. Years of films, books, t.v. had me believing that nothing was original; that all projects were variations of something that had been done before.
This was an original.
I cannot give a story any higher praise than that.
Movie Review: Enticing, Emotional and Intellectual
Summary: 5 Stars
I knew nothing about this film when my girlfriend rented it for us to watch. She heard something - somewhere. At first I was disappointed by the slowness of the action due to the lack of props or significant background movement.
However after about 30 minutes or so I was hooked. This is definitely a movie that's a lot like reading a book. You have to start out slow and invest in the characters before you can draw anything from them.
Throughout the movie I found myself emotionally tied to the characters and their struggles. The character development was so good that I began to get the feeling that I knew these people and that I could predict their next move. Quite often I was right. And that is where this movie shines. There is no set, there are no props and the story line is fairly simple. The strength of the film rests on its extraordinary character development.
Above it being a simply great movie for the aforementioned reasons, Dogville was deeply philosophical. Many of the conversations - particularly those at the culmination of the film - explore important issues of humanity and morality with a multifaceted approach.
It would be impossible to explain the lessons the film teaches without spoiling it so I won't try. I will only recommend that you go out and rent this movie, get a bottle of wine or a good six-pack, throw on some comfy clothes and settle in. It may be a long film but don't worry - the bedsores are worth it!
Movie Review: Nicole finally finds a ROLE>>>>
Summary: 5 Stars
Every once in a while a film comes along that is so wonderfully innovative, so exciting, so perfectly paced, so beautifully judged that it's impossible to look away. I've NEVER been a fan of Ms. Kidman's. I think she may be the most over-hyped actress of this generation, but, here she may finally have justified some of that hype; she has finally been given something interesting to do. I won't waste your time with a synopsis here. A large number of my fellow customers have taken care of that for me. I just want to make a couple of points.
Despite sentiments expressed here that the film is Anti-American, it's not. Note the tagline...In a town not far from here... If it really was, would he have been able to round up(with the exception of Kidman)a cast completely made up of this brilliant bunch of American actors? Sadly, human cruelty is universal. And therein lies the point Von Trier is trying to make. For those who missed that point, I can only recommend a repeat viewing.
It's not 3 hours long either. It's just over 2. But like DANCER IN THE DARK & ZENTROPA, when a film is as uniquely delivered as this one, who cares? I must admit that at one point, I felt the film started to drag. It was at that point that, like magic, Von Trier literally speeds up the action. Like I said, beautifully judged.
As I was watching DOGVILLE, I realized(& this is something you don't see enough)that the true star of this film is the one person you can't see. Lars Von Trier. I can't wait to see what he does next.....
Movie Review: provocative
Summary: 5 Stars
Makes you think... it could have done with less display in the rape scenes, but the visual does drive the point stronger... either we are more repulsed by it, take part in it, or both. That's how twisted we can be.
I was so angry at the hypocrisy and unfairness that I thought Grace should have been more cruel, but that almost makes her one of them.
Maybe its not what the director intended, but Grace makes a good metaphor for Jesus, except when she turns out to be just human, like all of us and chooses justice over mercy. I can't imagine choosing otherwise.
We have all betrayed, used, and abused Him (directly and indirectly) and others in some way (what we do to others, we do to Him). Don't get me wrong, God is patient and forgiving in ways that humans can't be, but justice will be served eventually, but God is hoping we will change before it is too late, before we bring the day of judgment on ourselves.
For those of you asking "if God's almighty, why is there evil..." - God is not the one committing the crimes, people are. God is the one begging us to stop, but he does not chain us down, he has given us free will. There will come a time when everyone's thirst for justice will be satisfied, no matter how much they have suffered.
I even wonder if there will come a time in heaven when those that have suffered from others will realize that the punishment for their oppressors has been sufficient, and at their request God may gladly set them free...