Director:
Lars Von Trier
Cast:
Matt Dillon, Bruno Ganz, Uma Thurman, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Sofie Grabol, Riley Keough
Synopsis:
USA in the 1970s. We follow the highly intelligent Jack over a span of 12 years and are introduced to the murders that define Jack’s development as a serial killer.
We experience the story from Jack’s point of view, while he postulates each murder is an artwork in itself. As the inevitable police intervention is drawing nearer, he is taking greater and greater risks in his attempt to create the ultimate artwork.
Along the way we experience Jack’s descriptions of his personal condition, problems and thoughts through a recurring conversation with the unknown Verge – a grotesque mixture of sophistry mixed with an almost childlike self-pity and psychopathic explanations. The House That Jack Built is a dark and sinister story, presented through a philosophical and occasional humorous tale.
Thoughts:
Lars Von Trier has, once again, caused a stir at Cannes. Walk-outs-a-plenty at the world premiere of his latest masterwork THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT. But I stayed to the end… and I really liked it.
You know what you’re gonna get with Lars, so you can’t be surprised he pokes the bear with many scenes in this movie. He wants you to be on the edge of storming out. He loves it when you feel that way. And that’s his genius; immersing you in his world but pushing you right to the edge at the same time.
Matt Dillon is absolutely brilliant as Jack. Worth the price of admission alone. Yes, there are couple of scenes that had me asking myself “Is it ok to be watching this?”. But if you were able to sit through ANTICHRIST, then this will be a walk in the park.
Rating:
8.5/10