DOGVILLE (2003)
**** out of ****
There weren't many great film on the 2003 Cannes Film Festival, but at least three of them deserved to win an award. First, there was Gus Van Sant's ELEPHANT, with its daring and original approach to a real-life event. There was also Clint Eastwood's masterpiece MYSTIC RIVER, which went on to win two Academy Awards in 2004. But it was DOGVILLE the true star of that festival. Unfortunately, it didn't win anything- I suppose that was because its pessimistic, radical view of the human nature might not have pleased some members of the jury. That's a pity, because this is a film to enter the history of cinema.
With its unusual set design (chalk drawings on the floor to represent houses, only a few objects) and its anti-Hollywood structure (a narrator who knows a lot, the division of the story in chapters), it might repel some viewers. But that all makes DOGVILLE unique. While Nicole Kidman's performance is the best of her career, the most discussed thing about the film will be its ending. Well, all I can say is that Lars Von Trier has guts- the finale tells more about ourselves than we'd like to.
No doubt here's a new addition to my all-time top 100. It's the best film since David Lynch's MULHOLLAND DRIVE.
**** out of ****
There weren't many great film on the 2003 Cannes Film Festival, but at least three of them deserved to win an award. First, there was Gus Van Sant's ELEPHANT, with its daring and original approach to a real-life event. There was also Clint Eastwood's masterpiece MYSTIC RIVER, which went on to win two Academy Awards in 2004. But it was DOGVILLE the true star of that festival. Unfortunately, it didn't win anything- I suppose that was because its pessimistic, radical view of the human nature might not have pleased some members of the jury. That's a pity, because this is a film to enter the history of cinema.
With its unusual set design (chalk drawings on the floor to represent houses, only a few objects) and its anti-Hollywood structure (a narrator who knows a lot, the division of the story in chapters), it might repel some viewers. But that all makes DOGVILLE unique. While Nicole Kidman's performance is the best of her career, the most discussed thing about the film will be its ending. Well, all I can say is that Lars Von Trier has guts- the finale tells more about ourselves than we'd like to.
No doubt here's a new addition to my all-time top 100. It's the best film since David Lynch's MULHOLLAND DRIVE.