No-one ever wrote a review for this, huh?  I meant to after seeing it in theatre, though obviously I didn't.  Seen it thrice now -- a good, comfortable, fun, quick watch.

Carnage is very true to its roots; the only shots that take place outside the main location of the apartment are the opening and ending credit shots, and there's no music whatsoever outside these credits.  The film is 80 minutes of dialogue, most of which takes place in one living room, so devotees of the "cinematic" film may not find a ton to like here.

It's a very simple story; over the course of 80 minutes, the façades of four characters come gradually undone and (figurative) carnage ensues.  

Needless to say, the film rests completely on the characters and the actors' portrayals, and for me, neither disappoints.  All four characters are fairly unlikeable -- more and more, as the film goes on -- but what makes the movie so enjoyable is the ups and downs of just how unlikeable each character is.  The viewer is likely to side with each and every character at one point, as alliances are made and broken and different topics and arguments flare up.  As in life, each character has their good and bad qualities, and we are most certainly treated to both, in as entertaining a fashion as possible.

All four actors are an absolute delight, though I personally found the most to enjoy in Christoph Waltz's performance; ironically, I probably also found the most to dislike about his character.  There's quite a skill in making an entertaining and likeable movie with only unlikeable characters.

If there's something for scriptwriters to learn from this one, it's probably the way in which small comments or moments of dialogue can be used so effectively to broadcast larger issues or conflicts later.  Almost every larger argument from the second half of the film is subtly seeded in the first half; the film perfectly portrays the clever little potshots that people take at each other while remaining apparently "polite," and what happens when those "small" comments get brought up again in the context of a bigger argument.

There's not too much to say about the filmmaking.  Polanski's one of the best working today and nothing about his work here disappoints (though nothing is particularly notable or new, either).  Desplat's score, only used for the titles, is friggin' awesome.

A recommend from me.  And a challenge to writers, I think; how many of us could write an entertaining 80 minutes of only dialogue?

While I'm at it, I'll take the opportunity to recommend another Polanski play adaptation, Death and the Maiden.  Another single-location one, but a balls-out thriller, and a nice dark one at that.  

I really enjoyed Carnage. It was one of my favorite films of last year. It definitely pans out more like a play than a film. Indeed, with the exception of the opening and Winslet's vomit spell, it's all dialogue and while there is a catalyst to start the characters off at each other, it's an aimless film as far as story is concerned. Perhaps there's a thematic drive throughout but story, not so much.

Still, there was hardly a dull moment. It's funny, cringeworthy in its awkwardness and it's pace is as smooth as butter. The awkward moments are particularly milked for their goodness and really emphasized the parallel between the film's comedic timing and Polanski's knack for suspense in other films.

Unfortunately, I saw the film twice which might have been a mistake. While I still enjoyed it, it's way more entertaining not knowing where it's all going to go. In that sense, the film may be a one shot deal.

Still, I loved it the first time. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed most of this film.
Though the power shifts between the quartet didn't jibe for me in the second half.
The acting, direction and production hit the spot for me.
And I ADORED the ending with the kids.

I'd say there was something between the 50 -70 minute mark that rang false to me.
Maybe someone else who's seen it might have some insights there?

Still, the social awkwardness and how we react to it was fun to watch.

E.D.

I think every writer definitely has to watch this. A lot to learn from a movie that runs itself on dialogue and basically only one location.

I adored the characters here, some good stuff here. I agree with Brett that something strange did happen towards the 50-70 minute mark, I really think this could've been a classic but there's something definitely missing.

A good watch though, would recommend it to everyone.