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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    Reviews    Movie, Television and DVD Reviews  ›  Dogville Moderators: Nixon
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  Author    Dogville  (currently 509 views)
James McClung
Posted: February 5th, 2010, 2:45am Report to Moderator
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So I've been sitting on my ass waiting for the opportunity to see Antichrist to present itself. It looks like it's going to be a while so in the meantime, I decided to check out other films by director Lars Von Trier. I've buried myself in interviews with the guy since Antichrist took my fancy and he really seems like a fascinating character and filmmaker. I opted to start with his film Dogville and it's sequel Manderlay after Tarantino named Dogville one of his top 20 films since he starting directing.

Dogville is named after the town which serves as the film's one and only setting, an American town in the 1930s. Grace (Nicole Kidman), a woman being pursued by gangsters, attempts to hide in the secluded town but finds she must first prove herself to its seemingly demure and soft-spoken residents. She does so by volunteering to do work for each of the residents and eventually finds her niche in the community. But over the course of the film, the town's attitude starts to change as does Grace's role in it. After a while, it seems like giving into the gangster's might have been a better choice.

The film's location is likely to turn off at least half of its potential viewers. The entire film takes place on a sound stage with minimal props and chalk outlines indicating the streets and buildings. It's actually more of a play, really. At first, it's very distracting, especially when characters are meant to be having intimate moments. How can they when all the other actors are in plain site? Surprisingly though, this feeling passes fairly quickly and the acting, especially Kidman's, is strong enough to mentally fill in the cinematic blanks. If anything, the actors have to up their game to keep you interested and I think they totally succeed.

Still... a LOT of people will be turned off by this style. Another thing that might turn people off is the chapter format. Unlike Tarantino, the storyline is linear but is broken into chapters nevertheless. The issue I think people will have is the fact that each chapter title gives away what's going to happen in the immediate future.

Moving along, this and Manderlay are both part of Von Trier's "USA - Land of Opportunities" trilogy, a supposed commentary on America and how much he thinks it sucks. Honestly, I didn't get this vibe. In Manderlay, I did but that one was about slavery and American racism. Dogville seemed to be more about people in general, namely how they hide their true colors and how their weakness gives way to cruelty.

Indeed, the film has more than a fair share of ugly human behavior. I don't want to give away what happens but there's a lot of painful and humiliating sexual situations which are very disturbing psychologically whereas I think other directors would try for something more visceral. Here, there was a calm to everything that happens that actually makes it even more emotionally distressing. The ending is also very shocking and violent yet probably the most satisfying and appropriate way to end things.

So what's my verdict? Lars Von Trier is known as probably the most polarizing directors in history. He's known for taboo breaking, misanthropy and misogyny (whether or not his films are actually misogynist is a subject of much debate). That said, a lot of people are going to hate this and they'll have their pick of reasons to do so.

Me? I can't say I loved it but I liked it a lot. I don't think I've ever seen a film quite like Dogville (until I saw the sequel). It left me thinking well after it was done. I wouldn't have written this review if I didn't think it had something to offer. Von Trier's dark portrayal of human nature connected to me in a way I haven't felt for a long time. I'd also go as far to say that Von Trier has more balls than any director ever. The endings to both Dogville and Manderlay, other directors wouldn't touch with a fifty foot poll. Both films felt gutsy and honest and weren't afraid of how they were going to be perceived or what their flaws were. It really did a lot for me and I wish more directors had the courage this guy does.

Overall, I'd recommend Dogville and Manderlay to serious screenwriters and film buffs. Casual moviegoers who see the occasional art film probably won't dig 'em. The content is extremely transgressive and the filmmaking style is highly minimalist and experimental. But like I said. Lars Von Trier is extremely polarizing. I think there's a good number of people out there who would do well to discover him. Personally, I'm really excited to seeing Antichrist as well as his other films.

BTW, I didn't review Manderlay because the two films are so similar. Manderlay has different actors and is about slavery but other than that, they share a lot of themes. Dogville was better though.


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Heretic
Posted: February 5th, 2010, 3:52am Report to Moderator
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Dogville is required viewing in my opinion.  Relentlessly negative but one of the most thought-provoking films I've ever seen.  Also one of the best.

James I highly recommend Dancer in the Dark and Breaking the Waves, two of the three parts of Von Trier's "Golden Heart" trilogy.  The third, The Idiots, is also an interesting watch, but a LOT harder to get through.  It is shot according to the Manifesto and frankly it's a little annoying.

Von Trier is one of the best film directors ever and, as you say, probably the gutsiest.
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mcornetto
Posted: February 5th, 2010, 4:23am Report to Moderator
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I liked Dogville.  I will never watch it again but I was happy to have watched it at least once.  I watched it years ago and I still think about it once in a while.  It's pretty amazing that a movie can stay in my head for that long.  Was it a great movie.  No.  But it was a gripping thought-provoking story that doesn't ever want to let you go.

I've seen Dancer in the Dark as well and the thing that stays in my mind about that movie is the titles.  Fascinating that by the time the movie starts so much is already said in a very abstract way.  I found the first part of the movie to be a dull bore but the rest of it was brilliant.

Haven't seen Breaking the Waves but now I will have to.

The Idiots.  What can I say about that film?  Such a clever and creative concept but it is oh so painful to get to the end.  I can't find any reason to really recommend it yet if you're a Von Trier fan you should see it.  I take that back, if you're a Von Trier fan you've probably already seen it.

And don't forget the original Kingdom while you're busy looking him up.      
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Takeshi
Posted: February 5th, 2010, 6:21am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Heretic
Dogville is required viewing in my opinion.  Relentlessly negative but one of the most thought-provoking films I've ever seen.  Also one of the best.

James I highly recommend Dancer in the Dark and Breaking the Waves, two of the three parts of Von Trier's "Golden Heart" trilogy.  The third, The Idiots, is also an interesting watch, but a LOT harder to get through.  It is shot according to the Manifesto and frankly it's a little annoying.

Von Trier is one of the best film directors ever and, as you say, probably the gutsiest.


I found Dogville unwatchable and turned it off halfway through. I didn't care about the characters and I didn't care about how the story ended. If you want to see a great Dogma film checkout Festen. It's an absolute corker.
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mcornetto
Posted: February 5th, 2010, 8:38am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Takeshi


I found Dogville unwatchable and turned it off halfway through. I didn't care about the characters and I didn't care about how the story ended.


You missed the best part.
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James McClung
Posted: February 5th, 2010, 12:30pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Heretic
Dogville is required viewing in my opinion.  Relentlessly negative but one of the most thought-provoking films I've ever seen.  Also one of the best.

James I highly recommend Dancer in the Dark and Breaking the Waves, two of the three parts of Von Trier's "Golden Heart" trilogy.  The third, The Idiots, is also an interesting watch, but a LOT harder to get through.  It is shot according to the Manifesto and frankly it's a little annoying.

Von Trier is one of the best film directors ever and, as you say, probably the gutsiest.


I'm already on it, in that exact order in fact. I have a feeling this guy is going to become one of my favorites. I've tried for a similar feel and themes in some of my own scripts even though I tend to write with a heavy genre influence and Von Trier's not a genre filmmaker. After seeing Dogville, I almost feel like I failed but then I'm only 23. Von Trier's had way more experience than I have, both in life and his career. I guess that would make him the first director who influenced me before I even knew who he was. I'm sure he'll only influence me more in the future. These two films and their collective themes and tone really rang true for me and I'd like my future work to do the same.


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Takeshi
Posted: February 5th, 2010, 11:26pm Report to Moderator
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What do you guys think Dogville would've turned out like if it was shot like a conventional film with real locations etc?

Perhaps someone will remake it like that someday.
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James McClung
Posted: February 6th, 2010, 5:22pm Report to Moderator
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That's a good question. After seeing Dogville and Manderlay back to back, I just can't picture them any other way. I don't think it would work with real locations but I can only speculate. If the film had looked another way, I might've said the same about its current look.

Hopefully, this will never get remade. If von Trier remade himself, I might look into it but I just don't see the point other than doing an experiment.


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