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| DOGVILLE (2003) | |
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The Danish Lars von Trier is a cinematic visionary and his creation Dogville is an example of his remarkable cinematic genius. The film is shot in a studio where white lines on the floor depict the where the houses and other significant landmarks are located. There
is some minute use of mise-en-scene such as a top of a bell tower floating in mid air by wires and small porcelain figurines, but most of the mise-en-scene is completely removed. The transparent environment produces an atmosphere without secrets and the true nature of people is completely revealed when an opportunity appears.
The story takes place in the small mountain village, Dogville, which is located in Colorado during the Great Depression. The young aspiring writer and philosopher Tom Edison (Paul Bettany) wanders through Dogville one late evening when he hears a shot, and later discovers Grace (Nicole Kidman). Grace has escaped pursuing gangsters and Tom decides to act as Grace's savior as he becomes infatuated with her. Tom presents Grace to the village's 15 adult inhabitants as he intends to let the village decide whether she can join the village or not. The people of Dogville give Grace two weeks to prove that she is an honorable person and not a threat. Grace offers herself to the town by helping with the towns chores. Initially Grace faces resistance to her presence, however, the people of Dogville decide that she is useful and they let her stay. This is the beginning of a wonderful time for Grace, but when the police turn up in the small village claiming that she is a dangerous bank robber and she has committed several robberies while she has been in Dogville townsfolk begin to demand more from her. The demands are a lead up to a beginning of a brutal exploitation of Grace’s persona while Tom feebly attempts to find a reason to the madness and an escape for Grace. Dogville is a disturbing film with a straight forward story. However, the politics behind the film have an allegorical value as it seems to draw from both historical and contemporary issues. The film strongly hints toward the use of allegory since the intended use of almost no mise-en-scene was cleverly manufactured by von Trier. The story is well directed as the film progresses with ease as it is both chaptered and well-written. When the cinematography, mise-en-scene, cast performance, and script is put together it offers a brilliant cinematic experience that the audience can ponder and discuss for a lengthy time since it can be related to issues that have affected the world. |
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Denmark / Sweden / France / Norway / Netherlands / Finland / Germany / Italy / Japan / USA / UK |
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| REVIEWED | |
| 8/29/2004 | |
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The Internet Movie Database. |
