Carnage

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: December 16, 2011

7.2	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 173 Ratings

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cabritaApr 5, 2012

Carnage suffers from a bad script that is simply unfunny. The actors are quite good and know how to play there role, but they cannot save this 71 minute long film from feeling like a total drag. This is also the first polanski film that ICarnage suffers from a bad script that is simply unfunny. The actors are quite good and know how to play there role, but they cannot save this 71 minute long film from feeling like a total drag. This is also the first polanski film that I have not enjoyed.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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TVJerryJan 15, 2012

Two couples gather for a civilized discussion about an incident between their young sons. Before it's over, barriers drop and things get real. It's a strong cast (Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, John C. Reilly, Christopher Waltz), but with theTwo couples gather for a civilized discussion about an incident between their young sons. Before it's over, barriers drop and things get real. It's a strong cast (Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, John C. Reilly, Christopher Waltz), but with the exception of Reilly, they aren't known for their comic chops (and neither is director Roman Polanski). Making it worse, the script isn't funny. The film starts with promise and potential, but never escalates to outrageous or deteriorates to dull. It stays at the same, uninspired level of energetic ennui.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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ClariseSamuelsApr 4, 2012

Who's Afraid of the God of Carnage? would be an apt title for this film since it is reminiscent of the Virginia Woolf play/film. Any film that takes place almost entirely in one room has to be be based on a play, and Carnage is noWho's Afraid of the God of Carnage? would be an apt title for this film since it is reminiscent of the Virginia Woolf play/film. Any film that takes place almost entirely in one room has to be be based on a play, and Carnage is no exception. The four characters occasionally tread into the hallway and there's a trip to the bathroom, and that's it. The stage lends itself well to prolonged dialogues and dramatic monologues, but film demands some action. The opening credits show the incident between the boys in the park; otherwise, the most action you'll see here is when Kate Winslet's character throws up all over uptight Jodie Foster's art books. Both actresses got nominated for a Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy, but there is not one line in this film that is even remotely humorous. The ancient Greek definition of comedy is any play that has a happy ending--Carnage still does not qualify. It has no ending at all. It seems to stop in the middle. We'll need a sequel to find out if the two boys ever reconciled like grown-ups or even to find out if the two marriages survived that disastrous encounter. At least Polanski remembered to tie up the loose end about the hamster--that was an enormous relief. In between the opening credits and the hamster, two civilized couples get together to talk about the fact that the son of Nancy and Alan Cowen (Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz) bashed in the teeth of the son of Penelope and Michael Longstreet (John Reilly and Jodie Foster). The injuries are serious but will heal and perhaps will need some cosmetic surgery, but the boy will not be marked for life. The parents have the best of intentions--to reconcile with each other and set an example so that the boys will reconcile. The visiting parents of the offending boy are about to leave, twice, and the second time they make it to the elevator. By the end of the movie, you wish they had left, and there was no reason for them to be enticed back for a cup of coffee. It was an uncomfortable, unpleasant visit, and everyone wanted it to end, including the viewers. Instead it dragged on for eighty minutes, short for most films but interminable in this film. The conversation starts out being politically correct but quickly deteriorates as both couples lose it, lash out at the other couple, and then spouses lash out at each other, and all the chinks in the armor of the holy institution of marriage get blown away so that there is no armor left, just the carnage. The play was called â… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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SirEddieCookJan 16, 2012

Carnage should have gotten meaner. Essentially a One Act play, the film features some fun acting in what is a black comedy, a bit of a critique of hypocrisy from Roman Polanski to the modern United States Culture that has banished him. JodieCarnage should have gotten meaner. Essentially a One Act play, the film features some fun acting in what is a black comedy, a bit of a critique of hypocrisy from Roman Polanski to the modern United States Culture that has banished him. Jodie Foster goes for the extreme the most, and comes away with the best of the 4 main performances. Instead of going for a War of the Roses level of domestic extremes, it's really a Virginia Woolf/Breakfast Club type movie where we aren't left with any major revelations, other than these are MISERABLE PEOPLE. It seemed like the actors had a great time making this movie, but not all of it came through on screen.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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lahaineDec 23, 2011

I'm surprised this didn't get better reviews from critics, as it was very entertaining. Carnage is a small movie that runs in real time, and only consists of four characters in an new york apartment. All this works well, thanks to its freshI'm surprised this didn't get better reviews from critics, as it was very entertaining. Carnage is a small movie that runs in real time, and only consists of four characters in an new york apartment. All this works well, thanks to its fresh and witty screenplay, and primal performances from our four principles: Winslet, Foster, Riley and Waltz. Christoph Waltz was probably the finest of the bunch, maintaining a chilly, aloof demeanor while the others slip into disarray. Jodie Foster gave a slightly exaggerated performance, but overall they were all fun. The abrupt ending did some serious damage to the overall movie, but its epilogue saved it.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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RobinsNestMar 25, 2012

Carnage is two films. The first half or so is a comedy. Mr Reilly is an excellent comedian. All the players deliver their lines with an air of being on the edge. They don't seem to be taking the material seriously. They are having fun as ICarnage is two films. The first half or so is a comedy. Mr Reilly is an excellent comedian. All the players deliver their lines with an air of being on the edge. They don't seem to be taking the material seriously. They are having fun as I was. Then the seriousness takes over as the combatants rip each other apart with innuendo through biting one-liners. Mr Reilly once again is excellent. Making the transition from light-hearted banter so machete like strikes. Ms Foster is way over the top; why did Mr Reilly marry her? All this "stuff" hidden behind a tight lipped facade? I was not roused to take action, just to utter an "Are they kidding?" Perhaps it worked better on the stage but still worth a look.… Expand