Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23214 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-08-02
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 178 minutes

Synopsis
Set in the 1930s during the Depression in the Rocky Mountains, DOGVILLE is Lars von Trier's comment on Americana and his uniquely perverse view of small town life. With period costumes, and flashes of THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER--which is being read by one of the characters--von Trier sets the scene. Using nothing more than a black floor on which white chalk lines and labels mark out houses and landmarks such as the mine and the store, the film is essentially a play. With only minimal props, the emphasis is on the script and the performances.
Dogville is a tiny town consisting of just seven households and 15 adults in total. Tom Edison (Paul Bettany) is the resident philosopher, who plans to write a book about morality but has not yet begun. He also serves as the town mayor, holding community meetings in the local church. When a beautiful woman, Grace (Nicole Kidman), arrives in town claiming she is being chased by thugs, Dogville welcomes her and agrees to grant her safety--at cost. Grace must prove herself to Dogville's residents, first through physical labour, then through friendship, then through utterly astonishing sacrifices that, in classic von Trier style, go way beyond anything viewers might imagine. A bizarre and disturbing film, DOGVILLE features an all-star cast including Chloe Sevigny, Stellan Skarsgard, Ben Gazzara, James Caan, Harriet Andersson, Lauren Bacall, and narration by John Hurt.

Customer Reviews

Disturbing and Brilliant...Most Unique Film I Have Ever Seen
I've gone back and forth between thinking that this film is incredibly sick and incredibly brilliant. I still can't make up my mind, so all I can say is that is the most unique film I have ever seen: a very sick and amazing film, showing the darkness of the human heart when there are no rules to protect its victim. It starts out very slow, but gets good after 30 minutes (it is nearly 3 hours long). The violence of this film surpasses Pulp Fiction, but in a much more subtle way (if I was to say any more I would give the whole film away). The symbolism is worthy of analysis...a film student could write for days about what they see in this film...and afterwards, your mind will be racing and trying to make sense of it all. This is, in my opinion, the best work Nicole Kidman has ever done.

Dogville breaks the mould
A rather stylish movie, imaginatively conceived, directed with flair, performed by a strong cast, and underpinned by strong original material. I particularly enjoyed the narration, full of dark humour, which is delivered in whimsical manner by John Hurt. It's a simple tale of injustice and revenge, with a few good twists and turns along the way.

Having given this film time to sink in, my conclusion is that the director has achieved something quite extraordinary through his use of an open-plan set, which results in almost all the actors being on set almost all the time. This leads to some captivating, intense performances, especially from Paul Bettany and Nicole Kidman in the lead, and Stellan Skarsgard and Patricia Clarkson supporting. Towards the end of the film we are treated to a gratifying appearance by James Caan. This is a memorable, thought-provoking movie that breaks the mould.

The DVD also includes a featurette entitled 'Confession Box', where the director and actors share their private thoughts over the course of the six weeks of filming. This is entertaining and quite revealing as the sense of commune builds.

Dark, gritty and thoroughly entertaining
"Dogville" is a brave and original, artistic film from Danish director Lars von Trier ("Manderlay", "Dancer in the Dark") but unlike many directors who try to do something a bit different, von Trier does not surrender plot or watchability.

The sleepy, small and close-knit community of Dogville is shaken by the arrival of Grace (Kidman), a beautiful young woman on the run. At first the townsfolk are reserved about welcoming Grace into the community but as they observe the positive impact she has on their lives they warm to her and she soon comes to realise that she has friends in Dogville. Whilst one may at this point find the film slightly reminiscent of "Chocolat", what with an unwanted stranger entering a community and gradually gaining acceptance, there's something about the way the film's directed that allows you to sense impending darkness, making you aware that the comfortable situation Grace finds herself in is about to change.

The entire movie was filmed on a stage - a very large stage but nevertheless, a stage. Each building in Dogville is marked out by a line of white paint on a black floor. The absence of walls really adds to the feeling of closeness. This minimal set makes you focus on the characterisation and for a director to keep an audience interested for almost three hours under such conditions is remarkable yet I remained intrigued and glued to the screen throughout. The dialog, particularly that of the narrator, is very sharp and makes the film entertaining even during the most gritty parts.

Nicole Kidman and Paul Bettany (as Grace's love interest, Tom) really earn their parts, with superb performances from both. The supporting roles were also exceptionally well cast and the acting was fantastic throughout.