Carnage

Let me begin by climbing up on my soapbox for a moment and screaming at the top of my lungs that THIS is the kind of movie we need to have in theaters for a longer period of time than half a week! Why we can have Adam Sandler's "Jack and Jill" and others of that ilk in theaters for three or more weeks sucking up space is just beyond me! That being said, this film was brilliant!  


"Carnage" is the latest addition to the filmography of Roman Polanski.  Set in a modest New York City apartment is the microcosm for the world's issues with only two couples to defend them played by the incomparable Kate Winslet, Christopher Waltz, Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly.  Like an incredibly well oiled machine, these characters and their actors are perfectly matched and executed from beginning to end.  Based on the play "Le Dieu du carnage" by Yasmina Reza who also co-wrote with screenplay with Polanski, is a tale of two boys and their altercation in the park.  As the film opens we meet Nancy and Alan Cowan (Winslet/Waltz) whose son is accused of hitting another boy with a stick to the face and Penelope and Michael Longstreet (Foster/Reilly) who are the parents of the boy whose face caught the stick.  The two couples have come together to form a resolution in what they hope will be a civilized understanding and an apology.  What they find themselves in is a caffeinated, scotch infused battle royale of wits, words, the sexes, honesty, and humor.  

Roman Polanski (love him or hate him) is a master of film.  His perverse knowledge of humankind, his visualistic style, and his uncanny eye for detail are truly what set his films apart from others. Keeping true to his nature, he shot the entire film on one set... perfect for Polanski's penchant for voyeur-esque close-ups and odd angles. 

This film is witty, smart, and completely relatable to everyone!