The Frame

The first of Lars Von Trier’s proposed U.S.A. trilogy (the second is Manderlay, the third has not yet been made), Dogville detachedly tells of an isolated small town thrown into confusion and suspicion when a stranger with a mysterious past (Nicole Kidman) stumbles into town. The town finally votes to protect her in exchange for her helping out each family with various chores. However, as time goes on and she seems to present less and less of a threat, the townspeople treat her more and more poorly, eventually devolving into the image of human depravity. Given that description one would think that Dogville would be sadistic and distasteful. I’ve asked myself why it isn’t over and over, and I’m not sure I have an answer. I’ve also been unable to decide if Von Trier’s extremely stylized set design is pretentious or inspired, but I’m leaning toward inspired. What I can say for sure is that I cannot, even two months later, get this film out of my mind. The spare visuals, bleak outlook, subdued acting, and noncommital narration ring in my head at the most random times. However difficult Dogville is to watch (and don’t get me wrong, it is), I’m more and more convinced that it’s brilliant.
Superior