Carnage

Carnage

(Roman Polanski, 2011)

Rating: 4/5

Reviewed by Dave Lancaster

Summary: An incredible foursome of a cast light up Roman Polanski's swift take on witty stage play 'Carnage', perfectly hissing out one spiteful attack after another. A must see.

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'Carnage' draws together two couples who are discussing a fight between their children. Stuffy Penelope (Jodie Foster) and spineless Michael (John C Rielly) host the meeting in their trendy, clean Manhattan condo.

They like finding comfort in their lives. This isn't a trait shared by driven lawyer Alan (Christoph Waltz) who "believes in the god of carnage" and his wife Nancy (Kate Winslet). They want to get this over with, but guilt must be assigned to one of their children as the aggressor of the schoolyard fight and neither party is going to give in easily. It becomes more about their own impressions of themselves rather than the kids (who we only ever see in long shots bookending the film).

Somewhat stretchingly, this brief conversation is drawn out over 79 minutes that sees vomit, tears, whisky and Cuban cigars all expelled as their maturity is stripped down.

The joy is in watching the performances. It's car crash TV with four sets of dodge 'ems driven by adults who should know better, but they just can't help it. Polanksi's cast is perfect at delivering the acid-tongued dialogue with relish.
 

Check out the (fantastic) theatrical trailer below!

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