Dogville

This is an unusual and fascinating film, visually, plotwise, characters, and thematically. There are a couple of significant points of interest. On the one hand, this is a detailed, in-depth psychological study of how different individuals justify victimizing a person (or group of people) who happens to be vulnerable, i.e., weak and unable to protect themselves. People who object that the film is "anti-American" or "misanthropic" are missing the point. It's not trying to celebrate anyone or any group, just examine one particular aspect the human psyche. Of course there are other aspects of human psychology, but the director/writer is not trying to provide a comprehensive view, rather an in-depth study of one dimension of human behavior. The other point of interest, which is more debatable and ambiguous, is the character who is victimized. She is deliberately opaque in many respects, although there are some concrete facts given. Why does she react how she does, throughout the film and especially the ending? Her character, her choices and words, raise some interesting ethical and philosophical issues. The film is very well constructed in terms of visual style, characters, and plot, and it will keep you watching, although it is perhaps too long. Essential viewing for any fans of Lars Von Trier and his intriguing body of work.