Dogville can be defended and even praised on pure ideological grounds, but most moviegoers, even those who are sophisticated and have open minds, are going to find it a very dry and unsatisfactory slog through conceits masquerading as ideas.
Roger Ebert in The Chicago Sun-Times
Dogville quotes
Page 10 of 16We realize we just sat watching a movie for 3 hours that's a little pretentious but didn't really mind — that says something.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone at TheMovieChicks.com
Oh, don't be ashamed, Ben. We all have the right to make the most of our lives. 'm sure that those ladies in those houses they bring a lot of joy to a lot of men.
Grace
Fourth of July after all
Today was a day for celebration. Nobody was to worry about the hard times. And Grace could stop at Ma Gingers window quite content: to ascertain that only two of the little china figurines remained, and were thus the only two she had not yet been able to save up enough to purchase.
After two days off Grace had been put back to work, but the quietness remained... Indeed it intensified ... until on the fifth day it swelled into a strange mood that, all of a sudden, brought all the citizens to the street to listen. They asked each other if the phone was really still down, or if they'd heard about Ben having had to turn his truck around on his way to Georgetown that very morning on account of a large tree blocking the road. They were not worried ... worried was not the right word... and then Tom spotted the cars.
While you watch the movie, it can seem ridiculously long-winded... But once it's over, its characters' miserable faces remain etched in your memory, and its cynical message lingers.
Stephen Holden in The New York Times
The snow had come early, perhaps too early. A misplaced augury of conciliation. Tom looked around, worried: Vera's teeth were clenched. She was the first to speak.
Tom, I got to tell you. Even I have trouble defending that girl. With your help, which I prefer to think was accidental, Tom... She has managed to spread bitterness and troubles throughout this whole town. She has to go. How do we get rid of her, Tom.
Jack McKay
I was just resting. Awful lot to do here in Dogville, considering nobody needs anything done. Jason wants to sit on my lap all the time.
Grace
Kidman, in a performance as emotionally stark as any she's ever given, makes Grace's journey achingly real, even though everything around her is deliberately artificial.
James Sanford in the Kalamazoo Gazette
It would only make the town more frightened, but hardly make it a better place. And it could happen again. Somebody happening by, revealing their frailty.
Grace
You just have to see it to believe it. Frankly, I have never seen anything like it, which is not to say that it's good or bad, but it is different and even original.
Andrew Sarris in The New York Observer
We can start by shooting a dog and nailing it to a wall. Over there beneath that lamp, for example. Well, it might help. It sometimes does.
The Big Man
Yes, all the rumours are true. Dogville is vile, hilarious... and essential.
Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly
Maybe I should go stand in the corner and be ashamed?
Jason