Dogville (2003)

Director: Lars von Trier
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Paul Bettany, Lauren Bacall
Runtime: 178 minutes

Synopsis: A woman on the run from the mob is reluctantly accepted in a small Colorado community in exchange for labor, but when a search visits the town she finds out that their support has a price.

Verdict: Lars von Trier is known for his pessimistic views on the human condition, a topic that can be widely viewed in his filmmaking style and the themes he tackles in most of his films. His work is deemed to be provocative, depressing, and divisive, alienating a lot of moviegoers in the process. But I can't help but find a lot of truth, even if exaggerated, in his work, and can't really think of another filmmaker who is able to present similar ideas in such a blunt manner.

What will strike you most in "Dogville" is its presentation. The events take place entirely on a simplistic stage-like set supposed to represent the small town in which Grace, played by Nicole Kidman, finds refuge while running away from mobsters. Walls are laid out by chalk drawings on the floor, sound effects of rain falling or doors opening are added without being visually shown. Aside from a few props, the only real thing on set is the small community, made out of about a dozen people. Some may view this choice as being a pretentious one, but I found meaning in it, especially when delving into the film's themes. Presented as a pleasant village at first, we come to later realize that, much like the town itself, its residents are only a mirage of what they truly are. Kindness to them is never free, a harsh but accurate criticism of the capitalist system that has put a price on humanity.

Similar to 19th-century novels, the film is divided into 9 chapters preceded by a prologue, a nice touch considering the times in which the events take place. Its long runtime, odd presentation, and at times disturbing imagery makes the movie one that can't be labeled as accessible, but I didn't mind any of them, and its uniqueness will make it one I won't forget anytime soon.

FINAL GRADE: 8/10