On its own right, Manderlay would have been an excellent movie. Following the masterpiece, Dogville, its impact was lessened somewhat. The visual style which was not as unique and shocking as it had been in the first movie, is was no longer as new and fresh as before. No matter how hard the story hits you, it is not as soul crushing as it was the first time around. Sadly Nicole Kidman wasn’t around this time, Lars von Trier apparently bullied her a bit to much the first time around, she was often reduced to tears. Bryce Dallas Howard does a pretty good job here, I wouldn’t be surprised if some people preferred her over Kidman. Despite this complaints, Manderlay is an excellent movie. It is a study about racism in America, one that I might find easier to agree with than some Americans might because just like Lars von Trier, I too have never been outside of Europe. I do think that, the lessons to be learned and conclusions to be drawn are universal in many ways. The movie is made more interesting by the main characters good intentions, she is not someone who is racist by her own accord and tries her best to avoid being one. She is perceived as one by the ones that she tries to help. Wait for the wonderful twist at the end, misanthropic ending. Reminded me a bit of The Village, the twist is meaningful, realistic and interesting here. Much like the first part, Manderlay is not as much anti-American as it is simply misanthropic. It makes you question the worth of the human race.
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