



Rating: A -





Based on Yasmin Reza's play " Le Dieu du Carnage" this character piece is a bleak but engaging drama. I only wish it would have been a little less overplayed around the end.

It's a story of two couples who decide to meet over an incident involving their children. Their young boys have a little argument and one of them hit the other with the stick. Who is at blame here is not of primary importance. That merely provides the base for the premise where the parents reveal their own insecurities and problems. The incident itself is irrelevant and the aftermath is the main plot.





Premise:

Penelope Longstreet ( Jodie Foster) and Michael (John c. Reilly) are playing the parents of the victim. Penelope is calculated and have firm ideas for human rights and justice. Michael is more relaxed and cool headed. The other couple Nancy Cowan (Kate Winslet) and Alan (Christoph Waltz) are parents of the offender. Nancy is more understanding and considerate. Alan is more uptight and straight. Although when Penelope and Michael invite the other two to their home for handling the matter in adult way, all the true colors of each one of them emerge. Many awkward moments ensue and their patience for each other gets tested.





Review:

From the very start it's evident that nobody is enjoying this meeting. Each time when Alan and Nancy decides to leave, a new aspect or insight of the incident gets revealed and they find themselves back in. The tone throughout is relatively light and at times funny but do get cringe worthy at some points. The good thing was the actual incident, when one kid hits the other, is shown at the beginning with no sound. We can see what's happening but can't hear the arguments which makes us open and sceptic to the later meeting of parents as to who actually is more responsible. This kind of narrative story is more dialogue based and stems from strong characters. Fortunately it does have both so the story becomes relevant and enjoyable. The performances are undoubtedly good coming from the seasoned actors. All of them get their individual moments to shine which also makes the group scenes( which is most of the film) very interesting to watch. The varied close up angles within the confined space of Lounge do take us closer to the actors. The absence of music makes it that much more raw. The story itself is very engaging and gives enough depth to each of the characters. Specially how meticulously each scene transit seamlessly into another and how gradually the incidents get serious and more awkward with time. Polanski's control over the actors and the material is very evident and helps make this more than just a one setup ordinary piece. The situation becomes reflective and the environment pulls us in. Another thing which I particularly liked are the ever changing alliances of each character throughout the film. It makes the scenario that much more grey and complex and more difficult for audience to take side of either of them. This in itself is a very commendable job rarely seen in many films.









There is not much bad in it. Few small things I did notice though. Both couples are reasonably rich and seem to enjoy the pleasure of group gatherings and drinking while being sober. It didn't seem like that in this incident as everyone seemed to get too drunk after few sips as to being physically effected by it. Although why it didn't bother me much was because the heated arguments and fights leading up to that point can make you lose your calm and drinking can act as a small catalyst. Other thing was the showcase of the range of actors shown rather unnecessarily through the final act. Although it's a custom in almost all films to up the ante at this point in the third act and elevate the action and emotions to engage the audience, but it seemed a little overplayed here. The uncontrollable laugh, in one scene which prolonged for far too long and the tears flowing for a long time, in another scene for no reason. Even though I can oversee these small things because the big picture in itself was very satisfying. Many people find this material best suited for the theatre which is how the original play By Yasmina Reza is done. But I find this story working very well as a feature film. A small setup and few characters force the writer to work on the story and the grey characters and many a times comes out far better written than the huge scale set pieces with thinly drawn characters.





Conclusion:

I find this film engaging and beautiful. Sometimes concentrating on realistic setups and ordinary incidents becomes far more reflective and thought provoking. We not only believe in the characters and understand them but sometimes find them around us in our society even in ourself. That's the power of a good writing and that's what Carnage has.