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Manderlay
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MPAA RATING: Not Rated
Starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Isaach De Bankolé, Danny Glover, Willem Dafoe, Jeremy Davies, Lauren Bacall, Chloë Sevigny, and Jean-Marc Barr
The second installment in Lar Von Trier's United States trilogy, Manderlay centers on a plantation in 1933 Alabama.
| GENRE(S): | Drama |
| WRITTEN BY: | Lars von Trier |
| DIRECTED BY: | Lars von Trier |
| RELEASE DATE: |
DVD: August 8, 2006 Theatrical: January 27, 2006 |
| RUNNING TIME: | 139 minutes, Color |
| ORIGIN: | Denmark / Sweden / Netherlands / France / Germany / USA |
Nominated, Golden Palm, 2005 Cannes Film Festival
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
The average user rating for this movie is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 27 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Yvette P. gave it an8:
Probably the most thought-provoking film of the year-- Lars Von Trier seems to have his finger on the pulse of American society and the ugly reality of racism that stuburnly coexists with high faluntin' liberal ideas. I am not sure I agree with what seems to be the film's central premise--that left to their own devices, slaves will return to enslavement--after all, "you" (American Whites) created "us" (African Americans) This is a dim view of the enslaved that denies them humanity. However, I do think it lays bare one important idea--that white supremacy is no more noble when practiced by a well-meaning liberal than when practiced by a race-baiting conservative. Both are equally dangerous, with potentially deadly consequences.
Nathan T gave it a2:
"Dogville" was bad, in some regards "Manderlay" might be worse. The way that director Lars Von Trier can point his finger so solemnly and self-importantly at a country he's never been is insufferable. The look of the film, totally barren is tough on the eyes to watch. Can't a serious film be at least mildly pleasing aesthetically? I'd hope so. Me, I enjoy movies, that whether they are celebrations or mournings are high on the joys of cinema. Cinema is a visual art form after all. And Von Trier's message? Moronic obvious nonsense about slavery still existing 70 years later, the fact that capitalism itself becomes slavery, and comparing Grace's (Bryce Dallas Howard) fight to end the slavery at Manderlay with the U.S. invasion of Iraq. As in "Dogville", Von Trier has no concept of what he speaks. I think my negative feelings toward the movie were stirred up in the first moments when he presents a map of the United States and I said to myself, "He's never been to any of those 48 states I'm looking at." The nicest thing I can say about Von Trier's trilogy (it will culminate with the release of "Washington" next year), is that it is like anything else I've seen before it. The truest thing: I hope I never see anything even remotely like it again.
Jacob D. gave it a7:
An amazing and important film. However, I don't think it's quite as brilliant as Dancer in the Dark, Breaking the Waves or Dogville.
R. G. gave it a9:
I ve seen it once, but i was just as taken back as when i saw dogville. Von Trier is a genius who uses allegory of slavery to portray the events going on in the world right now. Using the past to present current events, is highly affective with the actors all on top of their games. As is the cinematography and the setting, which takes place on a stage. Every problem that comes with grace taking over the plantaion reflects the past and present of policies by USA that affect the world. Questions of exporting democracy and institutions like the world bank arise in the middle as the film. i can go on and on about layers and layers of issues. The dark humor of von trier is at its best and the i cant wait for the next one in the trilogy.
D. B. gave it an8:
This is an excellent movie. The fact that it is a serious, biting, playfully cruel film that uses a Brechtian alienation style to further its criticism of the United States to a quiet intellectual firestorm may be too much for most moviegoers (or critics) to handle. The problem is that none of these critics here are the type of people who enjoy extremely unconventional films. When they see something like MANDERLAY, they cannot get past the ideas the film is trying to convey. Yes, its about slavery, its a criticism of the United States, and it is unrealistic in its portrayal of American people. Of course its unrealistic; movies always are. What they can't seem to appreciate is the entertainment value of this film: its yet another deranged sociological experiment conducted on a barren soundstage that is well written, exceptionally well acted, and quite a lot of fun if you don't get bogged down in its message. Many critics point to von Trier's prankster attitude when levelling his targets (and they seem perturbed by it) but its this same sense of extremely dark fun that makes his movies compulsively watchable. The thrill of watching a microcosm of the most powerful society on Earth go through hardship, then success, then even crueller hardship with the intricate, loving, illuminating and sometimes brilliant detail of excellent minimalist literature is thrilling in its own quiet way. Seeing the human drama of these warped, ideologically charged events portrayed here with shocking subtlety and power by the top-notch cast adds more the layers of interest and connection. If this film was a play, no doubt it would get much more positive reviews than it has. Come to think of it, its purposely stripped-down setting makes it a little like theatre, with an omnipresent audience. And rest assured this film has all the elements of good theatre. Certainly not everybody likes (or can appreciate) good theatre, especially film critics, but if you can, or are interested in something different that will provoke both thought and emotion, see the more twisted (and consequently slightly more effective) DOGVILLE first, and then pull up a chair and prepare to be assaulted by the cool venom of this second installment. And rest assured, any film that will provoke a 15 year old such as myself to write this long a review will surely not bore you if you are inclined to watch movies more intelligent than CLICK or X-MEN III.
Jeremy gave it a5:
Nice idea that feels routinely filmed and edited. There's not one single shot that equals Grace's arrival in Dogville, her bloody farewell or any other shot from Dogville.
Prudence K. gave it a10:
Best film ever? Maybe. Best direction ever? Maybe. Incredible masterpiece? No doubt about it!
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