Carnage (2011)

Fresh and Exciting

Crappy film

A Masterpiece!

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

What I want to say is that it's not your best movie and it could be better, but as it is, it's a wonder. It could be a movie to be put into management classes, like composing, like having a shot. How to place characters without appearing to place them. There are people who say that it is a way of filming very theater, what they do not understand is that the theater is seen in a general plane and here what you see is very flat composed with terms in the foreground telling what matters. Even so I could have done better and take more advantage.I do not like that the film seems incomplete, I know some will say that with what there is, everything is said, but personally I like closed endings.The actors can not be better. As they change their interpretations, and all square from one plane to another, with the preparation they carry. How are their characters changing?Photography is very good, without being spectacular, how much the story. It does not put much light through the window and it leaves you blind. It seems that it is not there, however it is.What else to say about the director. Rolling is a genius. It does not bore you, on the contrary, it catches you. Makes an entertaining movie in a living room. Beautiful and composed plans to cut a story. All well measured and without losing story from one plane to another.It's a little gem, do not stop seeing the.

Carnage (2011) is a very intersecting study of four characters, two extremely different married couples who's sons got into a physical fight and now they are meeting to discuss what needs to be done about it. This film takes place in one location, Reilly and fosters apartment. The acting is CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT in a movie like this one. And thankfully we have four fine established actors carrying this intelligent film. Jodie foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, and John C Reilly all bring their very best effort to this movie. They each play their respective characters wonderfully, especially foster and winslet, they really did deserve those golden globe nominations they received. Each character is so unique and different and they each react to the situation that brings them together differently. The script allows for extremely raw dialogue to dominate much of the movie, giving the movie a lot depth and meaning. The movie really isn't even about their sons fight, it's about these four clearly damaged characters and seeing them express their deep pain and frustrations in very loud/volcanic ways. The movie is directed marvelously and I really don't have any complaints. It's not a film for everyone, but I highly suggest it if you typically like this sort of film.

The purpose of this review is to demonstrate if the whole movie (directors, actors, cameras, ...) used the "huis clos" thematic in an efficient way.First of all, the movie starts with a child hurting another in a park. It's the only scene of the movie which is filmed outside the "huis clos" area. The rest of the plot takes place inside an apartment with only 4 actors, two couples of parents, Jodie Foster with John C. Reilly and Kate Winslet with Christoph Waltz.Each personality is very different but one stands out compared to the others. It's the Alan Cowan's one (Waltz). He has all the characteristics of the annoying corporate worker/businessman being himself head of a law firm. His cynical and sarcastic lines will greatly contribute to the suffocating feeling trough the movie. Him and Michael Longstreet (Reilly) will be the only characters to have contacts outside the "huis clos". The former, contacting his client an outstanding number of times which will lead the plot to reach its peak and explode, the latter receiving calls from his mother. Also, we will never hear any of the interlocutors, we will only hear what our characters ask and answer to them. The cameras didn't use particular angles inside the apartment. Only the script gets the mood heavier and lighter.As the story ends, every character will settle down and stops being petulant. The storyline is shaped like mountain, increasing to the peak, and then, decreasing to the ground.As a matter of fact, the movie succeed in the "huis clos" exercise. It balances well between suffocating and more ventilated moments. The actors and the script help a lot. The early stages were long to catch the viewer attention, nevertheless, the movie is a success and a nice tribute to Sartre.

This movie directed by Roman Polankski is really unique, as most of the film was shot in real time, without breaks and, with the exception of the park scenes, in a single location. It reminds me of previous one room stage plays works turn into feature films like Alfred Hitchcock's 1948 'Rope', Sidney Lumet's 1957's 12 Angry Men or 1966's 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf' by Mike Nichols. I love how the movie is shot in one location. It's does give that small time playwright play feel as if the viewer is an audience member in a silence sitcom watching these events unfold in front of them. The movie tells the story of two boy's parents meeting in Brooklyn apartment to discuss the matter of their children getting into a fight in the park that results in one boy, hitting the other, in the face with a stick. Alan (Christoph Waltz) and Nancy Cowan (Kate Winslet), visit the home of Michael (John C. Reilly) and Penelope Longstreet (Jodie Foster), to talk about the issue, only to find out that their intended short meeting became drawn out longer due to various circumstances. They soon overstay their welcome, and the peaceful conversation turn ugly; as the two sets of families continue to try to get the upper hand over the other family in verbal battle of wits over issues ranging from dead hamsters, cell phone use, to prescribed drugs. Sooner than later both sets of parents find themselves at each other throats. The movie is surgically exposing the true layers of social convention with dry wit mean-spirited humor. While, some people might find this annoying or unlikeable to listen to. I found myself, very interested in what was being said. I also found myself, laughing at times at the smart humor. It's definitely not everyone's cup of tea but if you enjoy subtle, refined humor it is well worth your time to give it a watch. Other humor like the vomit gag kinda turn me off from the film. I have to say, the humor is well-rounded. All of the actors did their parts, very well. John C. Reilly really comes across as the well mattered laid back Average Joe whom would simply appreciate an apology from their child and quickly forget about it. Jodie Foster really knows how to act like an arrogance stuck up author with a pushy agenda. She never seems to want to shut her mouth against people, she secretly despise. She has this unpleasantly overbearing preachy attitude that you can help, not hating. Christoph Waltz indeed waltz into the right role as the aloof over busy brutality honest Pharmaceutical spin doctor businessman. It was funny, how often, he had to pick up his cell phone for a call. Kate Winslet is truly amazing as the over emotional bi polar train wreck who find herself, going to extremes in both in mania and her lows. The movie is well written, and very faithful to the Tony Award winning play God of Carnage by French playwright Yasmina Reza. Although set in Brooklyn, New York, the film was shot in Paris, because of Polanski's fugitive status. You really couldn't tell the different, since most of the film was indoors. The opening and closing scenes, ostensibly filmed in Brooklyn Bridge Park, were shot by a second unit. The movie is well shot and shows why Roman Polanski is a good director. A lot of critics might hate this film, due to the fact, that Polanski is a controversial figure. In 1977, after a photo shoot in Los Angeles, Polanski was arrested for the rape of a 13-year-old girl and pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawful sex with a minor. To avoid sentencing, Polanski fled to his home in London, eventually settling in France. I have to say, while I'm not a huge fan of Polanski, the person, I do praise his works as director. He has a secret cameo in the film that worth checking out. Overall: I believe in the god of carnage. The god whose rule's been unchallenged since time immemorial. This movie showcase their power and it works as a pretty good comedy. What are you still doing here? Go home and watch the film. It's that good.