tonymurphylee THE BABY OF MACON is Peter Greenaway's most disturbing and shocking film yet. It's about a baby born of a deformed woman in a disease ridden village. The villagers go berserk due to the fact that the mother is so grossly deformed, and soon a different woman claims the baby as her own and pretends that she is still a virgin to gain the town's approval!!! Her parents detest, so she locks them up. She tries to seduce a man that she is in love with, but the man is killed by the baby in the process. What occurs afterward is nothing short of horrifying. I'll just say that some truly disgusting events transpire, and the film ends in a hollow and empty climax. I felt that the film was effective in demonstrating it's views and certainly was grueling, but the appeal of the film is what makes it so hard to really review. Who on earth would want to watch this? People who want to see a good movie maybe, but they will no doubt be put off by the subject matter. Fans of independent cinema will probably appreciate it, but most likely won't rush to see it. Everyone else will probably not find much appeal in this kind of storytelling. But that's kind of what's so cool about Greenaway. He is able to create film in a way that most cannot. He's in a class of Chaotic cinema where any sort of personification is possible and signature themes are easier to put to light than a real story. I found the film moving, but unless your a big fan of set design, I'm going to have to recommend it to Greenaway fans only.

Mormegil Be warned, this is a Peter Greenaway film and may cause offence. The incredibly moral plot with its littering of fable and allegory make the script enchanting and involving, and leave plenty of room for an in-depth analysis.The soundtrack is haunting and appropriate, and the set is marvellous. The story is told as a "play within a play" and the theatre-like set is used to its utmost. There is a strange violence created from darting between the characters of the theatre being portrayed and the actual actors. The rape scene is the most effective use of this tactic, which is by far the most horrifically violent scene of its nature I have seen in any film. The audience is left shocked and silent.Every intricate detail of this story is sewn together beautifully and the many plots and ideas collide at the end to form a brilliant Greenaway masterpiece.A must see for Greenaway enthusiasts, but beware - this film is an acquired taste and may not sit well with your average moviegoer.

faust1og2 Well, "The Baby of Macon" is surely no Disney trip to the sea, but thank God for that. Compared to other Greenaway movies such as "The cook, the thief...", "Prosperos Books" and the other paintings come to life-classics, this one is the most terrifying an uncompromising flick you ever will lay your eyes upon, and it does not contain any of the minimalistic (senil) music of Michael Nyman, but serves a fantastic blend of true renaissance melodies. Key themes from Monteverdis "Orfeo" fits Greenaways vision perfectly. And the movie is great in all its complex aspects. The smart mixture of fictional levels, questioning who are the viewers and who are the actors, manages weirdly enough to state a deep impression.

NateManD "The Baby of Macon" is a very bizarre film. Part play, part period piece and part religious satire. As usual director Peter Greenaway creates a stunning masterpiece, that looks like a painting come to life. Of course the film has disturbing elements and is probably Greenaway's most violent and brutal film. Julia Ormond plays the daughter, a beautiful young women. Her mother who's extremely ugly gives birth to the most beautiful baby. The daughter lies and says the baby is hers and that it was a virgin birth. She profits from the child and has him bless the whole town, even the cow. Both Ray Fiennes and Julia Ormand have very tough roles in this film; including a manger scene seduction. When the town finds out that the daughter is lying and the baby is not hers, they sentence her to be raped by over 100 men. Poor Julia Ormond. Avoid this film if religious or easily shocked. The film does have a dark sense of humor and makes a powerful statement about greed and religion. Although brutal, "The Baby of Macon" is a surreal masterpiece in which reality and stage performance collide. You'll wonder what parts a play and what events are actually happening in the story. This film also includes an amazing film score by Micheal Nyman. If only it would get a DVD release in the US?