Film review - Carnage

What happens when you stick four parents in a house to discuss an altercation between their two sons? Well, Carnage of course!

Based on the play, God Of Carnage, by Yasmina Reza, Roman Polanski brings to us a superb black comedy with just four central characters and one location, a feat that very few directors could pull off. Elaborating on the premise of Carnage is of great difficulty as the central plot is as simplistic as you can get.

When their son Zachary hits a fellow pupil’s face with a stick in the playground, parents Nancy and Alan Cowan (Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz) take the decision to visit the victim’s parents in an attempt to come to a resolution as to how calm can be preserved in the situation. Ethan’s parents, Penelope and Michael Longstreet (Jodie Foster and John C Reilly) welcome the couple into their home and they proceed with talking through a solution to their sons’ clash. At first, the four remain calm and composed, maintaining a civilized discussion but soon the cracks in their personalities begin to show and the tranquility that first appeared is quick to disappear. Add to the proceedings Alan constantly answering phone calls from his work colleagues and Nancy vomiting over Penelope’s collection of art books, and chaos ensues….

As a film of such simplicity, Carnage results in an ultimately hilarious and true-to-life comedy. Pitting two couples against each other, events take a turn for the worse as we expect and even at points pits the gender groups up against one another. 

With no hesitation it can be said that all leads, from Foster's over-emotional Penelope to Waltz's workaholic Alan, there is something for everyone in the characters and each of their descent into breaking point is a joy to watch. 

As events turn from the good to the bad, the belly laughs come thick and fast,making Carnage one of the most impressive comedies for some time. Polanski will be proud of his most recent piece of work and no doubt there will be many a plaudit for Foster, Winslet, Reilly and Waltz. Oh, and a final note, if you're not a fan of vomit beware!!

Film rating: 4 out of 5 F's