“We’re not getting anywhere.”
“That’s because you’re not listening.”
“I am listening!”
synopsis
Two sets of parents meet to discuss a playground altercation between their sons. Civil discussion quickly deteriorates into accusation, alliance-shifting, and emotional unraveling — all within a Brooklyn apartment.
pairs well with ...
mini-review
This is essentially a pressure cooker with furniture.
Polanski stages it like a theatrical experiment: no escape, no cutaways, just escalating pettiness. Alliances shift mid-scene. Civility becomes performance art. Waltz in particular delivers razor-sharp indifference.
It’s funny — until it’s not. And then it’s funny again. The mayhem isn’t explosive; it’s petty, which somehow feels more dangerous.
A short runtime (it moves fast)
Observing how quickly “reasonable” people unravel
Remembering that politeness is fragile
Absurdist's Corner
It’s about children fighting… and yet the adults are clearly worse.
fun facts
Adapted from Yasmina Reza’s Tony-winning play God of Carnage.
Shot in sequence to preserve performance escalation.
The entire film takes place in one apartment.