Carnage (2011)

December 2011

(8)

Synopsis

CARNAGE is a razor-sharp, biting comedy centered on parental differences. After two boys duke it out on a playground, the parents of the "victim" invite the parents of the "bully" over to work out their issues. A polite discussion of childrearing soon escalates into verbal warfare, with all four parents revealing their true colours. None of them will escape the carnage.Directed by Roman Polanski (The Pianist), Carnage stars Academy Award®-winner Kate Winslet (Best Actress, The Reader, 2008) and Academy Award®-winner Christoph Waltz (Best Supporting Actor, Inglourious Basterds, 2009) as husband and wife Nancy and Alan Cowan, opposite Academy Award®-winner Jodie Foster (Best Actress, The Silence of the Lambs, 1991; Best Actress, The Accused, 1988) and Academy Award®-nominee John C. Reilly (Best Supporting Actor, Chicago, 2002) as Penelope and Michael Longstreet. (Original Title - Carnage (2011)) © 2011 SBS Productions, Constantin Film Produktion, SPI Film Studio, Versatil Cinema, S.L., Zanagar Films and France 2 Cinema. All Rights Reserved.

Reviews

4.4

8 total

5 5

4 1

3 2

2 0

1 0

Dave Calhoun

Brief, brutal and barmy.

Ian Buckwalter

Where previously we felt as trapped in Polanski's apartments as his characters, in Carnage we only ever peek in through the window.

Tom Long

The actors seem to have fun, particularly Foster, working against type as the thoroughly unlikable Penelope. But "Carnage" isn't nearly as bloody as it thinks it is.

Ann Hornaday

What are supposed to be transgressive observations about the holy state of parenthood and matrimony instead come across as self-satisfied and shallow as the pieties Reza intends to puncture.

Joe Williams

If we grant that "Carnage" is a low-impact exercise in stripping away the social veneer, it's nonetheless brisk and enjoyable.

Amy Biancolli

In real life, hyper-controlling metropolitan parents would not waste this much time on people they loathe.

Cast and credits

Actors	John C. Reilly, Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz
Producers	Said Ben Said
Director	Roman Polanski
Writers	Yasmina Reza, Roman Polanski

Additional information

Rotten tomatoes® score

71%

Audio language

English (Stereo)

Subtitles

English

Run time

79 minutes

Rating

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