Carnage (2011)

Directed by: Roman Polanski | 79 minutes | drama, comedy | Actors: Kate Winslet, Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Christoph Waltz

‘Carnage’ by Roman Polanski is an adaptation of an originally French play ‘Le Dieu du Carnage’ by Yasmine Reza. In the filmed version by Polanski, it concerns two couples from New York who have started a conversation following an argument between their two sons in which one has beaten the other with a stick.

Both couples come from completely different backgrounds and their social class varies. Penelope (Jodie Foster) works in a bookstore. She is a committed human rights activist and is writing a book about the war in Darfur (Sudan). Her husband Michael (John C. Reilly) is a household goods salesman eager to move up the social ladder.

The other couple Alan and Nancy Cowan are played by Christoph Waltz and Kate Winslet. Alan is a top lawyer who, to everyone’s chagrin, is constantly unabashedly busy with all kinds of ‘damage control’ during the conversation. Alan represents everything Penelope detests. Alan’s wife Nancy is a top investment advisor with a high income.

Initially, their meeting is still pleasant. After all, they are civilized people among themselves who will solve and discuss this in a civilized way? They say there is no need to argue about this. Unsurprisingly, this conversation will take an entirely different turn. When the discussion about what happened between the sons has come to an end without too many wrinkles, the pent-up emotions and irritations about each other’s behavior begin to surface. The mood explodes and they begin to verbally attack and tear each other down, sometimes vicious and sometimes unabashedly vicious.

What then happens is a masterly demonstration of rudeness. The class differences disappear completely, the decorum that everyone tried to maintain against the other is completely and voluntarily broken down. Amusing and shrewd dialogues lead to constantly changing attacks back and forth and the coalition between the couples is also sometimes dispersed. Expect everything, there is vomiting, the drink flows freely and the layer of civilization makes way for nothing and no one sparing verbal aggression. Eventually, the participants begin to analyze and dissect each other and themselves effectively.

The acting of all the actors is more than convincing, but especially Jodie Foster and Christoph Waltz deliver top performances. The spectator is constantly tossed back and forth between the changing moods of the company. ‘Carnage’ is hyper-realistic with very recognizable characters, the story unfolds with great speed. As a film, it is mainly a strongly acted comedy full of witty dialogues. ‘Carnage’ is relatively short, but due to its intensity it is a penetrating and captivating experience that you completely hold on to.

‘Civilized’ people mercilessly scratch the layer of varnish off each other and also show themselves and their hypocrisy mercilessly. Rock solid, satirical and hilarious!