Film Review: Dogville

(First published online on August 12, 2008)

A stage drama shown in a format of a motion picture, Dogville which starred Nicole Kidman was a true to life film of a small town over the hill that depicts hypocrisy among the characters.

Grace, played by Kidman was a daughter of a mobster who escaped and decided to live as a fugitive in the town of Dogville. Since her presence imposed a grave threat over the townsmen, she worked for them not minding their selfish behavior towards her. When the people realized that they were in grave danger along with Grace, they decided to malign her even up to the point of making her as a sex slave. Grace didn't complain though at the end, she realized that what the people had been doing was wrong and so she had her sweet revenge. She let his father's mafia to kill all the people in the village and the only living creature who survived was the dog.

The setting was disorienting at first due to its no-walled surface but as the play progresses, you'll be amazed by the exact execution of the sound effects just as if it was actually happening. Like for example, when the character opens the imaginary door and the appropriate sound effects follow. In terms of technicalities and the right dispersion of the motion picture's ideas, it was seemingly perfect.

Now, I just want to highlight the main concepts that can be considered as true to life in the motion picture:

1. Revenge is all but natural. At the beginning, Grace just let others do what they want to from her but when she realized that it had to be stopped then she just burst all her hatred to all the devilish villagers. In real life, most psychologists say that there are moments when even the kindest person will have to release his/her hidden anger especially when he/she had enough.

2. Birds of the same feather flock together. Grace when she arrived at Dogville was an elegant lady who can be recognized as a true heiress but as she lived and be part of the town, she acquired the different attitudes of the townsmen even including their looks as filthy individuals. Sometimes, who you’re with influence you and more often than not, you can’t notice it. Go with the studious and sooner or later, you’ll be like them. Sometimes, social aspects influence your personality.

3. Consider all the people that enter in your life. Grace then thought that Tom was already the right man for her but at the end, she found out that she was just being fooled by Tom. It is hard to peel the real man’s personality but it is possible. Everything takes time and never just put your trust on anyone for maybe, you don’t know his true intentions. Know him/her first before deciding whether this person can really be trusted.

4. Never be hypocrite. The townsmen including Tom were already unhappy with what was happening in Dogville but none of them tried to go for they were afraid on what lies ahead. If you are unsatisfied with what is happening then by all means you do have a choice and you can decide to move on. No one controls your life but only you so nobody can dictate you as to what can be good for you. Always try to venture on other things. Contentment appears side by side with happiness and satisfaction so if you are unhappy and unsatisfied with your surrounding then don’t be hypocrite and quit it then pursue where you can really be contented.

5. Never be excited. The villagers, as Grace arrived were too excited by her presence up to point that they never mind their safety as long as they can associate themselves to the new person. It happens in real life especially when someone entered your life and not realizing that you are becoming excited and curious with this newbie. One perfect example of this was the experience of someone I knew during her high school days. She was in third year then and since fist year, they were already in a block section. But one transferee entered their block and all the boys go gaga over this girl even if that girl was not really pretty. Just because the guys were already used to their classmates, the new girl creates that excitement on all the guys up to point that even if they don’t love her, they courted her. It is not really because of love but it is truly because of the excitement and curiosity the other individuals felt.

With this concepts and amazing scenes such as falling snow only along the streets and raging fire but not burning the floor of the stage plus the good acting of the characters, the motion picture was truly ideal for everyone.

Note: the film was not release internationally and there were only limited copies worldwide. Our professor in Film Appreciation told us that we were somehow blessed by watching this great film.