Day 013 || Dogville

Dogville, 2003

Dir. Lars von Trier

"Dogs can be taught many useful things, but not if we forgive them every time they obey their own nature."

A mysterious woman, named Grace (Nicole Kidman) is on the run from mobsters and is reluctantly offered a place to hide out in the small Colorado town of Dogville. The plot may not sound all to original (but rest assured it's very original and refreshing), but what is noticeable from the very credits is that this film is unlike any other. The entire film is shot on a completely flat, black sound stage, with outlines taking the place of roads and houses. This completely stripped down experience resembles a play or theater performance (with better camera effects and shots). This is going to be a turn-off for a few people, as it is entirely unconventional and unheard of, but those with an open-mind will be rewarded as the film offers some of the best performances on film (thanks in no little part to the stripped down, non-intrusive visuals), and a brilliant story that questions the very nature of man.

It's that latter part that I want to elaborate on, as the film is really genius in it's subtle allegories to Jesus Christ, and for those getting up in the arms at the thought of that, it's not ham-fisted or tritely done. It's not in your face, you'd really have to dig for the clues and piece it together for yourself...that is with the exception of the final chapter where a great appearance by James Caan bluntly puts everything into perspective. If you were unsure of what the film was trying to say, Caan's "Big Man" will clear it all up.

For everything this film does right (John Hurts as the wonderfully, dry narrator, for instance), there are a few nagging issues, such as a three-hour running time, which is bound to be as big of a turn-off as the lack of visuals. There were some parts that could've been trimmed down, and I think with a half hour shaved, it would've been a more efficient and smoother experience.

With Dogville the good easily outweighs the bad, and it isn't hard to tell that I really enjoyed it's complex story set against it's very simple design. It's a brilliant film, with more depth than most other films I've seen this year, and it is an easily rewatchable film due to it's layered and allegorical story that speaks to the vile nature of humanity. But simply because of the running time and bizarre (yet admittedly brilliant) approach, it's one that I will find hard to recommend to most people. But that latter issue is only really odd for the twenty minutes or so, and then you buy into the reality of Dogville, just like any play or theatrical show you may have seen.

For those who simply enjoy and embrace innovative film-making, please do yourself a favor and check out Dogville. It is well worth the time and investment. For everyone else, well, there's plenty of brainless, explosion-fueled films out there, go check one of those out.

4 out of 5