Dogtooth

This strange, entertaining and shocking film is a recent release.
The central story of the gated-children is at times very funny. Especially with the use of word games and visual imagery. However, the film is smart enough to not just let us laugh at what, on paper, does indeed seem like a form of terror. We can become uncomfortable at our own laughter, and our laughter can lead us to question what we are seeing. This kind of 'look again'/ 'double take' is key to the film; the subversion of language makes us often suspect things of the characters, leads us into a state of constant uncertainty. The sheer lighting adds to a slightly washed out feel of the piece.
Is this film about simulacrum and capitalsim? About corruption? About falsity? Or about all. It certaintly requires thought from the audience, even of the speed of the piece does not allow too much of this withing the ninety minutes itself.
The acting is excellent, though we are still slightly uncertain about the uses of violence. They are extremely shocking and starightforward within the context of the film, which takes away much of the dreamy atmosphere? How much does the film earn itself its violence? Nearly completely, but perhaps not quite. A few more follow up scenes on the consequences and the natue of the violence might have made the intrusions, though doubtless powerful, a little less aberrant.
Indeed, a few extra scenes, maybe twenty minutes, may have done this film some good. Not that we didn't enjoy the ending; it may have left most of the audience restless, but it was a smart way of exploring the issues, if not satisfying for the classic movie experience. But this film wasn't trying to tick all the traditional boxes.
A film at times fun, at times horrifying, and nearly always entertaining. Largely avoids being overly 'kooky', and instead is a fascinating comment. Recommended.