Dogville

One man's genius is another man's fakery, which probably just about sums up the conundrum of Lars von Trier. The Dane's films, perhaps with the exception of 'Breaking the Waves', have managed to divide audiences, and while von Trier routinely peppers his movies with moments of great insight, he has a tendency to be one of the most self-indulgent directors around.

Despite clocking in at an ass numbing three hours, 'Dogville' is perhaps his most mature film to date, a stripped down cautionary tale of oppression and the suppression of personal freedom. In an eye catching performance, Nicole Kidman plays Grace, a woman on the run from the Mob. Coming across the fictional, all-American, family town of 'Dogville', she decides that this would be as good a place to hide out as any, and puts herself at the mercy of the inhabitants. Thing is, the people of 'Dogville', marshalled by Tom Edison (an outstanding Bettany) aren't quite as wholesome as they appear and it isn't long their brutality rears its head.

Filmed on a large soundstage of digital video, which adds to the air of unworldness, 'Dogville' is a disarming and morally ambiguous piece of work. Von Trier likes to play with the ethical principles of his characters and society as a whole, and even if you don't agree with some of his more cynical observations - people being defined by their most wicked desires is not particularly comforting - he's indisputably thought-provoking. In a difficult role, Kidman excels with a subtle, almost shy, performance, but there's little doubt whose film 'Dogville' is.