Dogtooth (Kynodontas) (2010)
Directed by Giorgos Lanthimos
***This film is currently streaming on Netflix***
First off, let me say that I am utterly shocked that the Motion Picture Academy nominated this Greek flick for Best Foreign Language Film. For people that complain that the Academy is a bunch of old fuddy-duddies, Dogtooth is an out-there, twisted choice that seemingly shouldn't appeal to the conservative voters. Against the odds, this dark comedy has a nomination and for the life of me, I can't figure out why.
Essentially a satire focused (in a roundabout way) on the home schooling movement, Dogtooth focuses on a family of five, all who remain nameless throughout the film. There's Father and Mother who have apparently decided to raise Teenage Daughter #1, Teenage Daughter #2, and Teenage Son in their home surrounded by high fences, never allowing their three children to leave their property. Having cut off all communication with the outside world -- no telephones, computers, or television -- the three teens live an incredibly awkward sheltered existence unaware of societal norms and customs. When Father brings home a woman for Teenage Son to have sex with in order sow his wild oats, the woman begins to cause problems within the household that escalate beyond the control of the parents.
Ultimately, the oddness of the story just didn't register with me. There's an attempt to be oddly funny, but I never let out even an uncomfortable chuckle. There's an attempt to be controversial with an incest storyline, but it just seemed there for shock value. There's an attempt to be deeply psychological when the film compares the teens to caged animals, but it was a much too obvious and blatant metaphor. (Oddly enough, Enter the Void which I reviewed earlier today attempts many of the same things listed above, but they worked infinitely better in that film.)
Dogtooth is an interesting film that's well acted, but I can't say that this one should be recommended.
The RyMickey Rating: C-
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