Moviescramble reviews the 2011 Roman Polanski drama Carnage

There is probably not another figure in cinema with the same notoriety as Polish film director Roman Polanski. From directing acclaimed films such as Rosemary’s Baby and the all time classic Chinatown to his upbringing in Nazi occupied Poland, the murder of his Girlfriend Sharon Tate by the Manson family and fleeing the US authorities in the mid Seventies to avoid a statutory rape charge, his life and career has been the subject of much interest. Since the late Seventies the director has been living and working in Europe producing interesting if not always excellent films. Following on from 2010 international hit, The Ghost, we have his latest film, Carnage.

Based on a French play, Le Dieu du carnage, this is the story of two couples trying to cordially resolve an issue. The opening scene shows two children in a park having an argument resulting in one striking the other with a stick. We then cut to the apartment of the victim where the boys parents, Penelope (Jodie Foster) and Michael (John C Reilly) are discussing the incident with the aggressor parents  Alan (Christoph Waltz) and Nancy (Kate Winslet).  The initial discussions are very civilised. Both sets of parents are in agreement as to the cause and who is to blame. It is only when Alan and Nancy are leaving, actually in the hall outside the flat, does a chance remark with slightly confrontational language from Penelope cause a disagreement. In an attempt to clear this up and with the offer of coffee and pie the couples return to the apartment to work it out. The cordial atmosphere soon disappears as more differences surface due to underlying preduces and  pre-existing character failings. Arguments and a heightened tension starts begin between couples and individuals. The differences that arise are not always between the couples with gender and personal opinions informing the allegiances that spring up. Just as you think a conclusion is being reached something else comes up to increase the tension.  Continue reading “Carnage” »