soranamicooper A one-act play, centring on two sets of parents in a Brooklyn apartment discussing a violent episode between their children, sandwiched between a very short, speech-free prologue and epilogue as credits roll. The ostensibly liberal but clearly uptight mother and apparently more conciliatory but hen-pecked father of the victim invite the aggressor's parents (she overtly more community-spirited, he more put out as he manages a work crisis on his mobile) over to talk about the incident, as responsible adults, but the ensuing clash of attitudes prompts a descent into the sort of puerile behaviour that was precisely the intended subject of the conversation. Well cast, the four players interpret the sharp, witty lines with aplomb, one's sympathies leaping around from character to character as they gradually unravel, but without ever settling anywhere for long as each in turn cedes any moral high ground as quickly as they gained it. There is scorn aplenty (subtle and blatant) as rivalries and alliances are repeatedly struck and dashed. One can forgive the improbability of the meeting surviving several junctures when it would more naturally end because the dialogue continues to give. I guess you can't go far wrong with such a script in the hands of this director and group of actors and it makes for a very watchable film, although I'm guessing the stage is its real home and I'll look out for it there.

moonspinner55 Having arranged a meeting at their New York apartment, a married couple, whose son was smacked in the face with a stick by another boy in the park, attempts to clarify the situation with the other child's parents, who initially agree their son was at fault but soon begin to argue the point--all relevant (and irrelevant) points, in fact. Director Roman Polanski co-adapted this 'savage comedy' from Yasmina Reza's French play "Le Dieu du carnage" (God of Carnage), yet the material does not lend itself easily to the cinema. It's a character piece in much the same way "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" was a character piece; however, "Virginia Woolf" (as a play and as a film) had at least two compelling characters to lead us through the dramatic wreckage. "Carnage" is about four adults acting like the very same 11-year-olds they're squabbling about, and there's nothing terribly interesting in grown ups engaging in immature mudslinging. Jodie Foster's Penelope, passive-aggressive in her jabs and asides, is probably the least convincing character of the group, with Kate Winslet's put-upon Nancy rating a close second. The two men, John C. Reilly as Michael and Christoph Waltz as Alan, fare a bit better than the ladies; however, once we get Polanski's point--that each one of the characters will, in turn, attempt to devour the others--it's just a matter of time before Michael and Alan become equally ridiculous in their petty arguments. An unpleasant film, but for cinephiles a definite curiosity item because of Polanski's involvement with this talented group. Still, it's no star vehicle; nobody comes out of "Carnage" looking good. **1/2 from ****

Krisztina Agoston-Vas People tend to hate this movie. Maybe because of "the lack of action". I highly recommend it. Everything (well, almost everything) happens in a room during a visit. AND IT IS INTERESTING ENOUGH. The cast is amazing (Kate Winslet, Cristoph Waltz, Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly) the dialogs, the actions, etc. There's a variety of emotions from hate to "love" and then from "love" to hate. Everything is depicted impeccably with the help of an amazing cast. It's ironic, it's funny and relaxing to watch. Also, it's absurd cause the kids are getting along, they don't "feel the drama". It's all about that specific parental exaggeration which is rarely a movie topic. Well done!

brian maosn The first five minutes of watching this movie really hooked me, the shots, the music, Jodie foster AND Kate Winslet starring beside each other... Its just tells you that you are about to watch a little modern gem, but that's not exactly how it turned out.First of all, the dialogue, I don't care if this was modeled after a play, it was awful. Watching all these irked characters got old and I found myself irked. The ridiculous dialogue just sort of snuck in through the back door, the lines these characters were so blatantly spitting out. I felt like I was witnessing people in a really stupid, unrealistic dream because that's how they talked in this movie and that would have been fine even, IF they just left that friggin apartment and had more of an interesting plot. I don't get it, was the plot outline two sentences? The script as a whole was probably less than 10 pages. About half way through I was like, they are not going to drag this one conversation through the entire movie are they?