Roman Polanski embarks on the small stage for his latest film adaptation. Yasmina Reza’s play titled, “God Of Carnage” has been transformed into a well-received big-screen movie by Polanski named, “Carnage” which I had the pleasure of seeing at the BFI Festival, in partnership with American Express. Starring Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly the film gives an in-depth insight into a tense, satirical altercation between two couples, set in Brooklyn, New York. The entire movie is set in one apartment which, combined with the close-up camera shots and frenzied dialogue ensured that the primary aspects of the original play, were continued into the movie adaptation. Hit the jump to read my first ever film review, watch the trailer and see why it made me NEVER want to get married.
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The film starts with a fight scene between two children that results in the culprit’s parents, played by Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz visiting the victim’s parent’s, played by Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly for an official meeting. With a huge emphasis on dialogue, the 81 minute film starts with a resolution meeting in an art-filled, middle class home, but quickly takes a downward spiral into hysteria, alcohol, vomit and the airing of dirty laundry.
Despite it being a film where nothing much really happens, all four actors absolutely excel in their portrayal of each character. Almost perfectly split into four opposite corners of a sort of personality diagram, each is a complete extreme; Christoph Waltz plays the businessman father who finds parenting boring and enjoys putting down the boysterous, surly John C. Reilly who equally couldn’t less about the incident between their sons. Jodie Foster plays a humanitarian, holier-than-thou, teary-eyed Mummy-hipster that babbles behind the back of busy, fraught, middle class and unreserved, Kate Winslet.
I found the fact that the foursome are in the apartment arguing for the entirety of the movie a little forced and quite frustrating, in fact it was almost pantomime style how the culprit’s parents kept leaving and then re-entering the scene, you found yourself shouting “just leave the apartment!!!!”. All in all it was a fantastic experience seeing this film during the BFI Film Festival, the screen was absolutely packed full of Roman Polanski fans and film buffs who loved every minute of the film and were extremely vocal about it! This is the kind of film I would avoid on a first date to the cinema: the sniping and bickering against each other and between the couples, over such a futile subject absolutely terrified me about the prospect of getting married, or getting older. Carnage will be in cinemas across the UK on February 3rd 2012.
About Tara
Music discoverer, explorer and lover! I enjoy traveling, politics, film and all things creative! Follow me on Twitter for rants, food & Hip Hop and check out my other blog!