Manderlay

The same protagonist of "Dogville" decides this time to abolish slavery and export democracy, as only a perfect American would do. Compared to the more “psychological” approach of the previous film, “Manderley” has stronger political overtones, focusing primarily on the relationship between leader and subordinate, between servant and master, highlighting the dangers that lurk even within systems ideologically based on equity. Especially in the second half, the message delivered could be deemed outrageous if taken literally, but upon reflection, it exposes truths that can still be found within the systems we live in. It made me reflect even on basic workplace dynamics.

Although I appreciated the above-mentioned nuances, the forced continuity with "Dogville" makes the film feel stale and repetitive. The minimal set design gimmick doesn't add value to the atmosphere nor fit the film's themes. Considering the need to recast both characters, a new aesthetic approach and presentation would have been more beneficial. However, Bryce Dallas Howard felt more suited to the Grace depicted here, as it requires a stronger humanity and an emotional depth I struggle to associate with Kidman’s usual delivery.