Roman Polanski’s “Carnage” is out on DVD, and there is only one way I can describe my feelings for Polanski’s recent venture — indifferent. There were times when I wanted to laugh, peppered with times I did laugh and sprinkled with fits of boredom. The potential was definitely present, but the execution was missing.
“Carnage” is the story of two groups of parents, the Longstreets (Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly) and the Cowans (Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz), come together to discuss an altercation between their sons that led to the Longstreet’s boy losing a couple teeth. As the night grows darker and liquor bottles empty the lines — between father and mother, husband and wife, woman and man — blur beyond recognition and the gloves come off.
Kudos go to the cast of the movie, with special notice to Reilly and Winslet because they are the ones that keep this movie afloat. Reilly does a masterful job playing a likeable character that, in reality, isn’t really likeable at all. One of my favorite scenes is when Reilly’s Michael confesses that he released his daughter’s hamster into the "wild" because of the racket it made at night. He says that he just left the hamster out on the sidewalk. Who in their right mind does that?
Winslet’s Nancy proves her well-mannered persona is very much skin-deep when she vomits in the middle of the Longstreet’s living room. This was one of the few highlights of her performance because of how nonchalantly she performs the act. Waltz seems to underperform, while Foster peaks at the other end to much annoyance.
The pacing is the biggest enemy. The movie begins at such a great clip and quickly slows down. The banter back and forth between the parents is the most intriguing part of the movie. It shows that no matter how old we become, we are still the same petty children at heart. Then, the focus shifts to the men against the women. That’s when my interest took a wrong turn and disappeared.
As I write this review, I feel I’m very much on the line. There are parts of this movie that make it likeable and even enjoyable, but with them being so far and few between, I’m going to have to recommend a big old pass. There are more satisfying programs on TV.
Film: 2.5 Yaps Extras: N/A