How a cup of coffee and a slice of cobbler can cause carnage: "Carnage" (2011)

Director: Roman Polanski
Writers: Yesmina Reza (play), Roman Polanski (screenplay)
Actors: Kate Winslet, Jodie Foster, Christopher Waltz and John C. RILEY

The name Roman Polanski always sparks controversy when brought up in conversations about film, or moral values for that matter. His sexual assault on an underage girl in Jack Nicholson's house twenty years ago has really not done him any favors but yet his film merits continue to grow. One must admit, no matter what actually happened that fatal night, Polanski is a damn good director. So while I wait to watch his new film "Venus in furs" (2013), that premiered at this years Cannes festival, I'll review his last longest production, "Carnage", which starred Kate Winslet, Jodie Foster, Christopher Waltz and John C. Riley.

I really enjoyed this film. It can be classified as a drama/black comedy revolving around a simple narrative. The story is based on a French play by Yesmina Reza called "Le Deu du Carnage". The whole story is set in the living room of a flat in New York (although the film itself was filmed in Paris for if Polanski enters the US he will be arrested). The situation is this: two sets of parents are brought together in order to 'discuss' a violent incident that occurred between their children. The viewer is shown only a glimpse of what happened between the children at the start of the film but as they can't hear any dialogue, only the non-diegetic sound of drums building up suspense, the viewer just has to come to their own conclusion on the chain of events, in the same way that the characters do.

What I think I enjoy the most of this film is the fact that clearly neither set of parents like each other, but yet each act is held together by someone insisting they have a civilized coffee (later some whisky) and a piece of cobbler thus keeping all the characters in the same room for the duration of the film. It highlights the the human social need to be seen as polite and hospitable in the most awkward of situations. As the film progresses the viewer slowly watches the boundaries of a civilized society decay in what seems to be a "Lord of the flies" effect on both couples, but in an extremely comical way rather than a Golding cannibalistic way. Another reason why I enjoyed this film is because it demonstrates to couples everywhere how to have a successful couples therapy session without paying the big bucks. Both sides bring up issues that are relevant in modern marriages and clearly show two different approaches on how to bring up children. It is a wonder how either couple has managed to live and hold up so long in 'pleasant serenity'. Although all the characters may have exaggerated personalities, the viewer can definitely identify if not themselves then someone else they know who has these issues.

The film is rated 7.1 of imdb and 72% on Rotten Tomatoes. It is a slow moving film but every second gets better and better as the cracks emerge in both these seemingly perfect families. Packed full of tension, high class comedy, and dramatic moments throughout: Polanski, as a film director and writer, once again I salute you.