Manderlay
The second installment in Lars von Trier's "USA: Land of Opportunities" trilogy. Dafoe plays the father of Grace, the central character played by Nicole Kidman in the series' first film, "Dogville," and played by Bryce Dallas Howard in "Manderlay". The film, shot entirely on a stage, is set in the American South during the 1930s and explores the repression of blacks.
Member Reviews
I miss Nicole Kidman, but I still love Von Trier. - KeithTalent
Part 2 in Lars Von Trier's "USA: Land Of Opportunity" trilogy, the follow up to Dogville. This time Bryce Dallas Howard takes over the role of Grace and the story revolves around slavery in Alabama in the 1930s. Aside from the beginning, the story is solid, though not quite as engaging as Dogville. The setting is nowhere near as interesting, being even more minimalist than the first film, but the biggest problem is Howard who is no Nicole Kidman. Kidman was absolutely enchanting in the first film and Howard never really engaged me at all. This is a pretty big issue since the story revolves entirely around her, however I did still enjoy the story as it does get into a lot of dark ares like Von Trier always does and some of the other supporters were quite good. I just wish Kidman would have remained as Grace. Anyway, if the the third part of the trilogy ever gets made I'll be there to watch it.A study of democracy, liberty, responsibility and order - swissguy
Manderlay is Lars von Trier's 2nd installment in his America trilogy after Dogville. The story starts where Dogville left off with Grace, her father and his convoy of gangsters driving towards a new place to live. They stop in Alabama just outside of Manderlay, an old plantation, and a black woman comes running out shouting "help they're going to whip him". It turns out that the black people are still held in slavery here, though its 1933, 70 years after the abolition of said bondage. Grace being the good Samaritan that she is goes to help and decides to use her newly acquired powers, bestowed upon her by her gangster boss father, to commandeer 4 of her father's gangsters and his lawyer to come and help her install democracy and liberty to the black people of the plantation. Things don't turn out quite as idyllically as Grace would have liked. The film, thus, studies aspects of human nature and its weaker sides. This film is stronger in some ways than Dogville and it's messages about humanity just as seering but in a different way. Bryce Dallas Howard replaces Nicole Kidman as Grace and she does not disappointment. Bryce is Ron Howard's daughter and she shows, in this film, to have quite a talent of her own indicating that she may well continue her father's legacy. She sounds exactly like Nicole Kidman in this film so the transition is seamless. I loved this film and all the issues it explores and will think of it often. I was particularly affected by the black people's decision to vote to severely restrict one person's share of food, because this person doesn't need to eat much, and then their vehement condemnation of that person for, later, stealing food because of gnawing hunger. It mirrors society's willingness to allow people to be severely deprived and then that same society's harsh punishment and condemnation of said people when they try to satisfy their most basic needs illegally because it's the only way they can. UnfairStunning - Jimmy_Jam
Again, if you are not into van Trier and did not like Dogville then you are probably best to stay clear - especially if you are very patriotic about America. It really examines the possibilities of slavery in America, and the outlook is not good - in fact, it is one of the harshest films I have seen on the subject. I feel, however, that it is far more interesting than Dogville, and it may attract viewers who did not like the first installment. Despite the lack of scenery, the visuals are fantastic. But the narrative is where this film becomes brilliant.
Member Reviews
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I miss Nicole Kidman, but I still love Von Trier. - KeithTalent
Part 2 in Lars Von Trier's "USA: Land Of Opportunity" trilogy, the follow up to Dogville. This time Bryce Dallas Howard takes over the role of Grace and the story revolves around slavery in Alabama in the 1930s. Aside from the beginning, the story is solid, ...A study of democracy, liberty, responsibility and order - swissguy
Manderlay is Lars von Trier's 2nd installment in his America trilogy after Dogville. The story starts where Dogville left off with Grace, her father and his convoy of gangsters driving towards a new place to live. They stop in Alabama just outside of Manderlay, ...Stunning - Jimmy_Jam
Again, if you are not into van Trier and did not like Dogville then you are probably best to stay clear - especially if you are very patriotic about America. It really examines the possibilities of slavery in America, and the outlook is not good - in fact, ...