Usually seeing a town go up in flames and families being executed make for a sad image but damn, I was sure happy to see it happen. I LOVE THIS ENDING! Only criticism I had was the overuse of narration. For instances, Grace's big speech to the town would of been nice to hear; I just wanted to hear what she had to say to them.
shareNope, I think retribution is primitive and animalistic. I feel embarrassed for the whole human race whenever people advocate revenge. However, them all dying was a good thing, yes.
shareI don't know if happy is the correct word I'd use to describe the ending, but it's ridiculously satisfying and cathartic.
I also love how throughout the film we see that every single person, even the girl in the wheel chair, are bad folks. And if Tom hadn't been killed I probably would have hated the film.
As for the baby killing, Lars von Trier loves to embrace taboos rather than ignore them for the sake of the industry. And if Grace would have taken it to raise it by herself, that would have been so lame and tacked on. Especially since it doesn't fit her character.
Plus Grace was invoking her wrath upon dogville, it was like a unstoppable force of nature that swept through the town, literally blowing them away. Are babies lives always spared in these situations? No.
Yes! I was elated, and this also scared me as I don't think of myself as a bloodthirsty person. The rage built inside of me when they kept abusing Grace in every way imaginable, it was like the town was filled with pure evil. But even so, this kind of thing happens in everyday life everywhere, just not concentrated into 2 hours. It was a great catharsis when they were all put to death in such a violent way, but it also raised questions in my head about my own morality. That's a sign of a powerful story-teller: one who makes you question yourself, makes you reflect.
shareIt certainly isn't the best ending in cinematic history. That honor goes to A Boy and His Dog (best ending ever LOL). I certainly wasn't happy. In fact, I worry about people who do find enjoyment out of the killing of other people.
This movie reminded me of High Plains Drifter and Unforgiven. Both endings also very dark with many of the people dying. Some people may have cheered Clint Eastwood when he shot Gene Hackman, but I didn't. The entire tale is a sad one. All of it brought upon the lust for revenge by the prostitutes. All 3 are great movies, and I definitely recommend all 3.
O yeah.
It reawakened my enthusiasm if not for humankind, at least for LVT's films.
Yes! Served them right! :)
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