Manderlay

This won't be much of a review in the usual sense. More of me saying "hey...go rent this movie". Manderlay is the second film in Lars Van Trier's captivating (so far) trilogy about America. The first of the trilogy was the extremely polarizing Dogville, which I loved but many seemed to hate. Manderlay pretty much picks up with Dogville left off. Kidman and James Caan are gone this time around, replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard and Willem Dafoe playing the same characters. This is another scathing and fascinating film that takes a look at some of the deep dark secrets of America. This time the focal point is on race relations and slavery in particular. This is not easy viewing and it is sure to turn off many viewers, but like Dogville I will bet that for every person who hates it, another will think it a classic. Lars Van Trier seems to be cutting out a niche for making challenging films that are far left of the norm. They may not be for everyone, but great films are not supposed to be...and in my opinion, Manderlay is a great and challenging film.

In a time where great films are few and far between, there are few excuses for not searching them out and giving them a chance.