Director: Lars Von Trier
Starring: Stellan Skarshard, Nicole Kidman and Paul Bettany
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have created a legacy as strong as Stellan Skarsgard. Since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Skarsgard has made memorable movies. A Swedish icon, Skarsgard has created memorable movies that audiences cherish. Whether it’s psychologists, psychotic killers or villainous space lords, the actor has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Skarsgard’s greatest strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has often poured his heart and soul into each and every role. Skarsgard has never been afraid of taking risks in his career by playing characters which aren’t always likeable. Through his abilities to portray characters which are easy to relate to, Skarsgard has become a commemorated Swedish icon that audiences value. Throughout his strong career, the actor has made many unforgettable movies which are definitely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Skarsgard and adore all the movies he has created in his career. However, “Dogville” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2003, Lars Von Triet’s movie offered a bold portrait of a small town. Packed with stunning production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about communities. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Stellan Skarsgard, who portrays a labourer of a small town facing tension. Ultimately, what makes “Dogville” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most Lars Von Trier movies which are targeted towards a niche audience, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A riveting masterpiece about community, there are many strong reasons why “Dogville” is a movie worth seeing.
Set in the small town of Colorado, “Dogville” tells the story of a woman that experiences sorrow. Nicole Kidman plays Grace Mulligan, an anxious woman with a habit of getting into tension. Grace has always sought a peaceful life far away from any troubles she must have to face. However, Grace’s life forever changes when she is introduced into a small Colorado town causing disaster. Grace is initially quite impressed with the town forming friendships with its residents. Chuck (Stellan Skarsgard) is a friendly labourer that gives Grace a chance to discover her true purpose. What seems to be a perfectly peaceful town soon becomes a nightmare when Grace discovers secrets that causing fear. As all the odds are soon stacked against his favour, Grace begins to wonder if it is possible for her achieve happiness in a town facing disaster.
Lars Van Trier is fascinated with the stories of small towns facing disaster. A brilliant Swedish filmmaker, Von Trier has often made engaging movies about small towns enduring disasters. His movie “Breaking the Waves” captured the lives of couples in relationships facing waves. With “Dogville”, however, Von Trier created his first ever mystery movie. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture a small town enduring adversity but he succeeded immensely. Using stunning cinematography, Von Tier captures a small town community experiencing adversity. Emulating Clint Eastwood’s “Mystic River”, the filmmaker uses point of view shots to capture hardship residents of a small town go through. For instance, the POV shots enhance the town introduction scene. During this haunting scene, Grace is first introduced towards small town of Colorado causing tension. Using strong point-of-view shots, Von Trier creates a portrait of a small town there compelling. POV shots often are tricky techniques. As David Fincher’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” suggested, POV shots elevate murder mystery films. That being said, it works well. Using spellbinding visuals, Von Trier captures hardships that commemorated residents of a small town are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Dogville” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well-made. Von Trier expertly uses a setting of a small town to capture tension residents in a crisis are facing. For instance, the small town setting enhances the conflicts scene. During this unforgettable scene, Grace faces tension when she discovers the painful secrets of her small town. Using strong small town settings, Von Trier crafts a portrait of communities that is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Kristian Anderson’s commemorated score is truly spectacular. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which small towns often bear. Through phenomenal production, Von Trier captures the lives of commemorated women in small towns facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Dogville” is a film about small towns that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the residents of a town facing tension. Von Trier’s screenwriting strength is capturing the tense experience of residents in a small town using silence. For instance, the silence enhances the farewell scene. During this memorable scene, Grace faces sadness when she bids farewell to her town. Through silence, Von Trier creates a portrait of small towns that audiences easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. Gus Van Sant’s “Good Will Hunting” suggested silence enhances commemorated coming-of-age movies about adolescence. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through a bold screenplay, Von Trier captures the lives of residents that face a price of pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Stellan Skarsgard delivers one of his greatest performances as Chuck. Skarsgard achieved appreciation for playing scientists in classic comic book movies. With “Dogville”, however, the actor took on his most complex role. It’s not easy to portray a resident of a small town facing tensions but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and vulnerable in his most iconic role. Skarsgard has excelled at playing emotional heroes under pressure and “Dogville” showcased his strength as an actor. It’s a terrific performance from one of the most commemorated actors working today.
While the film is mainly a showcase for Stellan Skarsgard, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of recognition. Nicole Kidman is captivating, capturing the tensions faced by a woman that struggles to cope with the danger of addiction. Paul Bettany is phenomenal, and brings authority to a labourer struggling to live in a lost city. Lastly, Philip Baker Hall deserves appreciation. As an elderly citizen, he brings wisdom to the movie.
Finally, “Dogville” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing towns with dreams to fulfill. Unlike most Lars Von Trier movies that are targeted towards a small audience, the film tackles strong themes that audiences will relate to. It discusses strong themes including anxiety, mental health and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Von Trier’s movies to enjoy it. It delivers a meaningful message about trauma that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Dogville” is one of those rare films everyone would adore.
Fans of Stellan Skarsgard will enjoy “Dogville” and so would movie-goers seeking enjoyable entertainment. A captivating drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about small towns facing tension, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated Swedish actor with strong dedication towards his craft that has made unforgettable movies throughout his illustrious career which are absolutely worthy of tremendous celebration.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 