★★
This movie was not what I expected. I didn’t find it challenging, I didn’t find it original, and I certainly didn’t find it a comedy.
Lanthimos starts with a premise (the parents completely isolate their children from society into young adulthood -- a premise with some promise), and then the film introduces various elements to show how the characters respond. My problem with that is that people respond in about the way I expected them to, so I got bored in fairly short order.
And there’s very little narrative arc in the movie, either, unless you count the older daughter’s developing desire to get away. However, that conflict only inspires a small amount of the action of the film. Otherwise, there's no real growth in anybody or much of a story structure.
The pathetic situation of the kids and the parents didn’t inspire or illuminate at all. The action is somewhat predictable and sad, and I can’t imagine how anyone found humor here.
So I’m lost about the critical reception of Dogtooth in some circles. I like the fractured framing and the soft lighting, but I wasn't very engaged with the characters or story.
