Dogville (2004)

bit slow

Give it a miss.

OMG this was the most bizarre movie I've ever seen! When I started watching and realised that the whole movie was set in a warehouse with drawings on the ground to represent buildings, plants, dog etc I was put off. I said to myself I would keep watching for another 20 minutes and if I still couldn't get into it I would turn it off. I did start to get into it and I adjusted to the setting and invisible walls, I was enthralled throughout the remainder of the movie. I did find it strange and much more extreme than people would really behave but I got the point the filmmaker was trying to make. A very interesting movie, amazing that a movie could be made with such a simple set on such a small budget and viewers could still immerse themselves in the story. However, I found the story too unrealistic and I do tend to dismiss films that I can't relate to, this didnt happen with this movie, Im still thinking about it now and the points that were made and the more I think about it the more I like it. Very glad I watched it, I think its someone most people should watch but I understand how many who have adjusted to highly visual big budget mainstream movies would not enjoy it.

Very slow, but watching it to the end was somewhat rewarding. Debatable about whether it's worth it though. Seems the reviews are very divided on this. It runs for just over 2 hours (might feel like 3!). Interesting concept with the stage-like setting. Somewhere between a movie and seeing a live play. Definitely Lars shining a light on the dark side of humanity, consistent his other movies I've seen.

Just a really stupid movie !

A dog of a movie!

This movie needed to be on stage - the next one out of town. Only watched ten minutes couldn't get into it, decided we didn't want to waste 3hrs of our lives.

OMG what rubbish! Could only stand about ten minutes of it. The experimental stage-play set definitely did not work for me.

I thought this movie was boring... and overall, horrendously stupid. absolute rubbish... and a waste of 3hrs! Wouldn't even bother with it if your thinking of hiring or even buying.

this was a real shocker - rented it on all the reviews. Im sorry I may be shallow but this was totally boring - I only lasted 20 minutes - I love Nicole kidman - not my movie at all

I can see why some people would not like this movie. It is very different to what you might expect. The way the story is portrayed pushes the boundaries. However, I found it to be a refreshing obscure way to tell a tale. I was captivated till the end, just as if it was shot in a typical setting.

I was amazed how dull this movie was -- glacially slow, and without any real atmosphere. this film is hardly 'typical' of LVT's work, but then he usually tries something a little different each time. the performances are compelling, but they aren't enough to make this film watchable -- this was one of a few very rare occasions that I didn't manage to sit through a film to the end.

excellent artist, certainly something different, but very well done. Lots of twist with a moral to the story.

Pretty boring actually. I'm quite disappointed, this is the second Nicole Kidman movie in a row that I've found incredibly boring. In fact I didn't even bother to finish watching this one. It's really quite and odd movie if in fact you can call it a movie, it's more like actors practising on a stage.

Or you love it or you hate it. I found it absurd at times. The acting was excellent though. Once you have forgotten that the whole movie is filmed in a single building, you might perhaps start focussing on the story. Not for everybody that's for sure. Lasting almost 3 hours, I understood why Dogville was the name of the town and I just wanted one thing...Seeing the end credit appearing on my tv screen.

An absolute classic! My new favourite film. A must-see for lovers of fine cinema. I was completely engrossed from start to finish. I don't like theatre, but I adored this film. It is presented in such a unique way, and the story is told so incredibly that your imagination takes over and you almost forget about the unusual set. To all those that get bored within the first 5 minutes, don't give up! Hang in there for at least 20 or 30 minutes and I think you'll be hooked. Definitely approach this one with an open mind. Possibly not for your typical mind-numbing hollywood action/gangster film lover.

I like the beginning of this movie better than the second half as it got a bit dark especially at the end - but I loved the concept. It is quite original and I'd love to see more creative film making like this. The acting was very good too.

Different to say the least and not my cup of tea.

Very different film husband not a kidman fan so when the film started and it was stage set as well he didn't want to continue but is now grateful we did . was just like watching live theatre .The story line was great exposing the veiwer to the true nature of people in a close knit community . would highly recommend to anyone who wants something different to watch

A movie that has to be given a chance. I went away and watched it on my own at x1.5 speed expecting to hate it- but I really liked it. Not easy to watch, more like reading a book, very rewarding

Love it or hate it ... this movie is a masterpiece. Forget about the set, enjoy the great acting and the amazing story. If you don't know human nature by now, watch this movie to learn about it.

I didn't even watch after the first 5 minutes. It was "weird" from the start.

This is my favorite movie of all time. I have watched it with several people, and in my opinion, many people miss the point of Dogville entirely - due to the fact that they cannot open their minds a little bit, and just enjoy the story, without trying to impose their expectations of 'normality' on it. This film is NOT "hard work", it is NOT a stage play and it never was. This is just a damn good story, filmed in the old fashioned way (on a studio set). The lack of walls is not pretentious - it is jprofound. This is Laars Von Trier's cinema ethic in action - he believes that if you place one severe limitation on a film, you get art. A lack of walls in a film about a small town - ever lived in one? -it's GENIUS. Apart from the buildings, there are no "imaginary props" - nobody is driving pretend cars or firing pretend guns (that WOULD be stupid). Though there is one "imaginary" character... Like all the other people who loved this movie, I found the story to be so engrossing, I soon forgot about the set entirely. The humour is brilliant, the acting is superb, the satire is scathing, and the enlightenment to be gained about human nature from watching this film is beyond compare in cinema. There are disturbing scenes in it, and it contains sexual violence which many people find abhorrent, but it is not gratuitous by any means - it is fundamental to the story line. You will love it if you are the type of person who gets lost in a good story, can tolerate the "unsavory" scenes, and relishes original thinking.

Innovative and thought provoking.

Dogville.....more like Dogpoo !!

couldnt get into the movie as it was set on a stage, if i had read previous reviews i wouldnt have even bothered.

Very different type of movie, makes you think.

Sorry this film is not for me. Maybe it would be better on live stage; the film is organised that way anyway. I like my movies to be entertaining in an escapism sort of way and do not want to have to work hard on the plot. For others!

Stunning production with intriguingly different set. Nicole Kidman stars in a brilliant cast. Gives much food for thought on human nature, especially under stress.

This is actually a play, not a film so takes some getting used to.

This is one film which takes work to watch, but is definitely worth the effort. It certainly isn't for everyone - the set and story alone will make it inaccessible to all but the true devotee. However the powerful ending and the message it leaves the viewer is simply stunning.

I give this movie a "Worth Watching" because it really is. Incredibly difficult to watch and deeply challenging. This film is painfully moving. To see what these ordinary people are capable of and then to fear that what you've seen isn't entirely make believe is quite an experience. Nicole is amazing as a woman whose greatest crime is her tolerance and capacity for forgiveness. Paul Bettany is brilliant and terrifying.

Not my favourite movie. I prefer a more realistic set.

WARNING: This is not a movie. This is a stage play that has been well-filmed. Has a lot of slow points, but if you can get into the story and you like plays, you'll enjoy it.

Not for standard movie fans, more for theatrical fanatics. Very strong characters and dark, confronting story.

Get this movie out! A study on the duality of man.

A challenging and subtle film, using stage techniques. Fine acting from all the cast.

I watched this 'movie' about 18 months ago and to this day, scenes from it still haunt me, move me, anger me and stay with me. I may never need to watch this one again - it remains that vivid in my mind! It would have to rank up there as one of my most memorable movie experiences. And Dogville is more "experience" than cinema. I don't think that it was ever meant to "be" cinema! It's about human nature at the basest most confronting of levels. In truth, it is probably more a horror movie in many respects than a mere arthouse interpretative film. Ms Kidman is a tour de force in this but is well supported by a stellar cast. Mesmerising, horrifying, confronting, challenging and memorable.

Labourious and long, theatre at the movies with imaginary props and pretentiousness.

It was great to see others had the staying power to actually see the broad acting ability of our Nicole. This one had a story, a good one with a twist at the end that most would have been glad to see, justice. Nicole I take my hat off to you, just brilliant, loved the settings and the way it made one think and not just sit back and think it was going to be just another 'normal' movie

This movie doesn't even deserve the 1 star rating. I can't believe I wasted 3 hours of my life on this. I can appreciate what the makers were trying to achieve, but it just is not entertaining in anyway nor envokes any kind of emotional response. Go and see a high school play and be better rewarded.

This movie is a spiritual masterpiece. It is harrowing and not enjoyable, but very rewarding. It raises questions to help us 'grow up'. For example, are you a better friend if you (A) just forgive, understand and accept or (B) forgive, understand and accept but don't let the person get away with bad behaviour?

Quirky - definitively! High tech FX - think opposite of! Told rather like a fable, the tension builds as the cruelty insinuates itself. The denouement is strangely satisfying - though I did imagine the director meeting the same fate. A brilliant insight into the American psyche or Von Tryer having a lend of us again? You be the judge.

An amazing piece of cinema, with wonderful acting in the confined space of a small set. Very much a thinking person's movie,ideal for critical movie-fans and film societies alike.

Nicole Kidman plays the best role I've seen her in since To Die for. A riveting and different movie that has you thinking for days after. I will have to watch it again.

No one should ever make a film like this. It is so anti-cinematic. I expected a beautiful lush setting like in Oh Brother, Where Art Thou and was terribly disappointed to see what looked like a low budget stage play.

Very boring movie. Dont Bother.

Highly original concept with a strong moral message interestingly delivered. Superior cast and acting. Thought-provoking, not fun.

Fantastic film from a director I am so glad is making films. Completely theatrical, the film takes a bit of imagination, though the narration and depth of the characters make it a highly engrossing story with a weighty ending. Not everyone's type of film, but I loved it.

Fantastic!

Very disapointing, could not get through the whole movie. It was a shocker.

I was very dissapointed with this movie and did not like it at all. I did not watch the whole movie, I couldn't!! Several others watched it as well and they too could not sit through the whole thing.