Dogville

This is a very unusual film, and sadly, also a rather dull one.

The premise is that Grace (Nicole Kidman) is on the run from gangsters and the small town of Dogville agrees to hide her, and in turn she does work for them.

The cinamatography is (intentionally) choppy and uncomfortable. There is no real scenery, as the film is made in a black studio with the houses marked out on the floor, and a few key pieces of furniture in them. There are no walls, and the cast mime going through doors, with sound effects. You can see the people in the other houses going about their business. This takes some getting used to but is fine after a while.

The film is narrated by John Hurt, and tells how Grace goes from welcome helper to victim of abuse as the town is to scared to admit they are hiding her, but now need her. However the telling of the story is slow and frustrating.

Eventually, the reason why Grace is hiding is revealed, and the film reaches its dramatic and horrific climax, but this does not make up for the dullness of the film, which I had to watch in two parts as I almost fell asleep twice.

The cast is supurb with Paul Bettany, Lauren Bacall and Chloe Sevigny in supporting roles. But that is the best thing about it. Disappointing.