"Carnage" Cometh
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 4:51PM With filming wrapped on the stage-to-screen God of Carnage excuse me Carnage (I guess they shortened the title) from Roman Polanski we get our first still of the feuding couples played by Jodie Foster & John C Reilly (what a weird combo) and Kate Winslet & Christoph Waltz.
This is either during the arrival scene or during one of the we're leaving (only no one actually leaves) scenes. I am happy to hear that they have not adjusted the main time frame. It still takes place in real time in one evening, yay. I guess Polanski is confident enough with his craft (as well he should be) and with the play's terrifically verbal bite to not worry too much about people saying it's "stagey".
Though this statement from Jodie Foster worries me a little.
Kind of like Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?, but a little funnier. There’s a lot of wit.
Foster absorbing directing tips from Polanski?
Er. I'm not sure you want to compete with Edward Albee in the wit department. Just saying. Few people seem to ever remember how hilarious Virginia Woolf is until they're watching it. It is a bit like being kicked in the stomach while you're laughing so maybe that's why people don't remember the funny ha-ha? God of Carnage... excuse me Carnage... is quite funny and biting and it's true that it bears a passing resemblance to Woolf? in that black comedy four character claustrophobic all in one night way. But it's less genius than Woolf? Woolf? minor maybe. But still Woolf? is so many millions of times better than most everything else in the world that being a minor version of it is still pretty damn hot.
If they've pulled it off expect Oscar nominations come January.
Reader Comments (23)
Which couple do you think they'll push lead?
I just can't believe how crammed the Best Actress category already looks again! Here's my top 12 (leaving out Sundance winner Felicity Jones - Olsen got the better reviews):
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Keira Knightley, A Dangerous Method
Tilda Swinton, We Need To Talk About Kevin
Elizabeth Olsen, Martha Marcy May Marlene
Kirsten Dunst, Melancholia
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn (or Take This Waltz)
Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Rachel Weisz, Deep Blue Sea (or The Whistleblower)
Anne Hathaway, One Day
Rooney Mara, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Kate Winslet/Tilda Swinton, Carnage
Charlize Theron, Young Adult
Sooooo happy to see Winslet back on the screen finally!
Although taking that little break of her's was probably the best possible move she could've taken post-Oscar win ...
I love how half your commentary is on Woolf :p
I don't think you were really worried by Foster's comment. I think you just wanted to remind us of how much you love that play ;)
I read it recently and I'm not sure how I feel about it. It feels kind of messy but maybe that's just because the characters are drunk as hell? I dunno.
I can't say I thought it was funny. I admit, I don't laugh easily but it was too mean and dark to make me feel relaxed enough to laugh.
I saw bits of God of Carnage at youtube and it I understand what Foster means. Funny in a more conventional way. That's not bad, of course.
Totally looking forward to this and I love seeing Winslet angry in that still. She plays sad so often that it's refreshing.
And though I agreed with you months ago that Foster should have been matched with someone prettier, they look fine togethe, for me, in this pic. Maybe because Foster is with (almost) no make-up on.
I know that they're all leads but from what I know, Foster's role is showier and will probably be promoted as leading. But what about the men? Too early to know?
James -- you see right throooooo me. (about Woolf) as far leading. God only knows. In a sensible world it would just be four leads. It's literally four people on stage for the whole time basiclaly (aside from bathroom breaks and angry time outs). so i don't know how you decide who to demote, you know? so i guess they'll go with the showiest/assertive couple (Foster & Reilly -- whose home it also is) as the leads? sort of like the top/bottom rule that i invented for same sex couples which has yet to fail me for Oscar campaign predictions.
Do they all have the same hair color ?! Beyond weird.
isn't God of Carnage just a much much catchier and more elegant name for the film than Carnage?
why did they have to shorten it?
I have a problem with this casting. I love Winslet and Foster would be good in this role. So it must be the guys. I just can't see them in these roles and don't know why. I hope they surprise.
Foster wants another Oscar nomination and like Jessica Lange in Grey Gardens she won't compromise for the sake of her superior co-star. The men should just take up two spots in the supporting category without fuss. I don't want Winslet demoted to Supporting so she's better off losing a nomination for lead -- if this year proves to be too competitive. Although something tells me besides Meryl Streep -- we're all just guessing whom will take the remainning four spots.
So happy for my Winslet getting the fine husband -- Christoph is the best thing Tarantino has given us since Kill Bill (The Entire Thing).
John C.'s really stepping it this year, eh? New Lynne Ramsay and Polanski seems like quite the get for any actor.
Huh. Why did I think the Waltz/Reilly roles were reversed?
Walter -- i may have misled you. i think i also thought they were reversed . at least at one point.
Murtada -- who did you see on stage? original cast or one of the many replacements?
Amir -- totes. Carnage just sounds like a horror movie like Insidious or Saw or the like.
Very interesting project, but I'm afraid about the possible miscasting... the only actor I can really see in this project is Jodie Foster, but I can't buy the Winslet / Waltz couple. The Broadway cast (Harden / Davis / Gandolfini / Daniels) looked better-assembled.
Nathaniel - yep I saw original cast
I'm sure the title change had something to do with GOD being in the title.
And the males in this film are definitely miscast.
Anyone else think this play was basically trite and unfunny? Anyone?
Really NOT looking forward to this movie, despite Polanki at the helm.
I still think they should gone with the OBC but in Polanski, I trust.
Guest -- yeah. agreed that that's why they're dropping it but still... Carnage just doesn't sound right.
Arkaan -- oh i laughed a lot during it. But it does seem like the kind of play that could easily fall flat with the wrong performers doing it.
Really nervous about this film, not just the (mis)cast but Polanski too. I fear it's gonna end up like his “Death and the Maiden”, some decent acting about but overall limited and dreary.
Winslet will already have buzz going into the season thanks to her almost-certain Emmy win. Plus, she'll likely have the "I'm-back-in-the-spotlight!" narrative working for her.
I think that she'll be nominated, unless Jodie Foster's baitier part really steals the show. If that's the case, then category placement will really start to matter.
I predict the foster/reilly pairing,winslet/waltz just won and i think they will want to welcome jodie back like kidman this year and reilly seems to be gaining momentum in his career.
Unless Foster gets a supporting nomination for The Beaver (or even director?!) and leaves room for Winslet to become the youngest how many nominated actress ever?
I don't know. I don't think Foster is an actress fit to stage adaptations? She is not a line delivery master; her best performances are all based in mood, emotions, and not dialogue (even Silence of the Lambs - it's all about her silence, her eyes). Same for Winslet, a very emotional actress, not a witty one.
I haven't seen the play, but it can be a big flop, with no nominations at all.
Polanski is a badass, so I can't wait for this...but I totally agree that it's beyond baffling they shortened the title to "Carnage"...God of Carnage is so much more intriguing and memorable...regardless of how great the movie is (or isn't), I just can't get behind the title change! LOL