Carnage Movie Review | Shockya.com

'Carnage' Shockya.com Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello

Director: Roman Polanski

Starring: Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly


Adapting an acclaimed, Tony Award-winning play that perfectly captures the satirizing of the human condition, parenting and marriage into an intriguing, true-to-life film is never an easy task. But director Roman Polanski effortlessly did just that with his new comedy-drama movie ‘Carnage,’ based on Yasmina Reza’s play ‘God of Carnage.’ The filmmaker, who co-wrote the film with the playwright, hired a respectable cast that brilliantly showcased how disengaged people really are from their relationships, and the disdain they hold towards the people who don’t share the same views as they do.

‘Carnage’ follows two diverse Brooklyn couples, Penelope and Michael Longstreet (played by Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly) and Nancy and Alan Cowan (portrayed by Kate Winslet and and Christoph Waltz), as they meet at the former’s apartment to discuss the fight that broke out between their two 11-year-old sons on the playground. The Longstreet’s son is struck in the face with a tree branch by the Cowan’s son. The couples initially act nice towards each other, in an effort to peacefully resolve the situation. But as the meeting progresses, and the four can’t find a common ground, their true, clashing personalities are revealed.

Investment broker Nancy and lawyer Allan feel that their son shouldn’t take all the blame for the attack, as the Longstreet’s son wouldn’t let him join his “gang” of friends. However, liberal writer and campaigner Penelope and wholesaler Michael think the Cowan’s son should learn to take responsibility for his actions, and he’s being coddled by his regularly absent parents.

While all four actors realistically connected to their self-involved characters, Waltz undoubtedly gave the most memorable performance as the career-driven Allan, who has very little involvement in his son’s life. The actor embodied the mind and attitude of many working parents who become disconnected from their home lives, and have no desire to mend their broken relationships with their families. Waltz’s portrayal realistically showcases how society has become so obsessed with their technology that no one knows how to relate to, or communicate with, anyone verbally, face-to-face.


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