Rent Dogtooth (2009)

But, for me, no laughs. - Dogtooth review by DF

This is a strange one. From the outset I will say that I found the movie unpleasant. Nevertheless the movie has been well received in the festival circuit and by the usual bands of critics and I will admit it has some merit, but not, for me, five stars.

Lanthimos focusses on a family with parents, for whatever reason, impose a regime of complete isolation on their three grown up children; two girls and a boy. The vocabulary of the children has been deliberately warped by the parents to confuse what is reality and their daily life consists of engaging in obscure competitive games. The imminent sexual needs of the boy are catered for by a woman who is brought in from the father's factory. It is this woman, however, who brings about a chink in the isolationism imposed on the children. The father uses some cruel violence to try and protect the world he is projecting on the family. The cessation of the 'outside' woman's services leads to an even darker turn in the children's relationships. I did find the direction of the movie somewhat leaden at times yet the themes explored are interesting but disturbing. The movie could be seen as a critique on 'authoritarianism' and how ultimately it fails, whether it be in the national 'state' or the family; how language is perverted to infantilize and control people and 'competitiveness' to maintain tension and obedience. On the other hand, if one is very 'modern', the movie might be regarded in 'modern' terms as a 'comedy'. But, for me, no laughs.

The King's Suit Of Clothes all over again - Dogtooth review by JK

This deeply unpleasant, disquieting film has no merit whatsoever as far as I could see yet it won awards and great reviews from movie critics.

Presumably, nobody wanted to appear less than avante garde, up with the intelligent set or down with the kids to admit it was drivel so all had to 'read' some significance into it.

To describe is as 'darkly comic' was an understatement; So 'dark' was the comedy that it didn't actually show through anywhere in the entire film. What was there to laugh at?

Maybe I just missed the point altogether but putting the DVD in, telling my mother it was a film about dogs (which I thought it was and which will teach me to read the sleeve notes beforehand) and then squirming through it was an experience that will haunt me for a long time to come.

Bizarre!! - Dogtooth review by TB

This is a very bizarre film. Has a similar feel to the Human Centipede movies but without the total grossness. However, there are a few disturbing scenes. For most of the film you're asking yourself, why? It's watchable though, if you fancy a fairly short and very different film to watch.