The parents have gathered to discuss the quarrel in a "civilized" fashion, sort things out and head off a possible legal battle. The "civilized" discussion deteriorates into a funny, savage, no-holds-barred verbal battle. The script is kind of opportunity for verbal fireworks that actors love and Polanski has gathered a stellar cast for this romp with Jodie Foster as a human rights advocate, Penelope, and John C. Reilly as her husband, Michael, the salesman slagging it out with the parents of the "bully" who attacked their son. Kate Winslet plays Nancy, bigger boy's mother, an investment advisor and Christoph Waltz is her husband a high-powered New York attorney.

In the stage play the playground fight is often referred to but never seen. But in the opening scenes of Polanski's film two boys, one of them played by the director's son, Elvis, fight it out savagely in a battle that foreshadows the verbal battles to come and underlines the primitive inner violence that is only ever thinly glossed over by "civilization."

Except for the opening shots, Polanski has wisely kept action confined in the claustrophobic Brooklyn apartment and the direction crisp. Polanski is known for being an actor's director and he is in his element when drawing brilliant performances out of his cast with this well written dialogue. The verbal action is fast paced, witty and wicked.

Everyone agrees with Penelope's good intentions in calling the meeting and friendly superficial introductions are made as the two couples get to know each other. But battle lines are quickly drawn and the divisions just beneath the surface quickly appear. The confrontation peals away layer after layer of civilization as the characters attack each other with increasingly savagery.

Alan and Nancy are eager to escape from the uncomfortable situation as soon as possible and Alan irritatingly continues to loudly take calls on his mobile phone throughout the encounter. Conversation begins over coffee and sweets and some preliminary probing jibes with the veneer of civilized cooperation still in place. But as the confrontation progresses Nancy vomits over Penelope's spotless living room and the couples begin to bare their souls and turn on each other accompanied by copious amounts of alcohol. Alan and Nancy repeatedly attempt to escape but are drawn back into the never ending fray again and again. By the end of the film the middle-class living room has become a war zone.

Foster as the frustrated, self-righteous Penelope turns in some brilliant theatrical histrionics that are both funny and desperate. Waltz as the mobile phone addicted Alan gets a lot of the best lines. Winslet and Reilly are also both clearly enjoying themselves. Polanski has simply taken great material and great actors and had the self-discipline to let them speak for themselves which is considerably more of an achievement as a director than he is likely to be given credit for.

Credits:

France, Germany, Spain, Poland SPI Film Studio (www.spifilmstudio.com)

Supported by the Polish Film Institute (www.pisf.pl)

Director: Roman Polanski

Screenwriters: Yasmina Reza, Roman Polanski, based on the play God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza
DoP: Pawel Edelman

Production: SBS Productions

Cast: Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, John C. Reilly