Disgrace (2009)

I'm not surprised this film didn't do well at the box office, it's a tough film and a tough book and in no way "uplifting".Coetzee's story is very complex and disturbing, balancing disparate value judgements and conceits; it's astounding really that it doesn't collapse under it's own weight. The transition to film is very precise, and as some other reviewers have said, perhaps too precise. But I think it's remarkable, it's just not going to make anyone very happy.Malkovich is at his best in this film. Maybe he's not very good at accents, but he has perfect control over his dissolute manner, essential for this character. No, you won't like him, there are no heroes.But if you're looking for a thread to follow without consulting Byron and company, just think about the mess that apartheid left behind.

I've NOT read the book and WILL NOT as I was deeply disturbed by the movie. This was a quality production, above average direction with very good performances, especially Malkovich, always weird but great. I saw two important themes; the main character Lurie's dispassionate, self-absorbed and arrogant existence (and an eventual partial thaw)amid the chaos and turmoil as South Africa reverts to a lawless culture as the structure accorded by apartheid unravels. The core of the plot is not Lurie but he and his daughter's relationship with their world around them as they lose their favored white status and grow fearful of racially-motivated violence. Malkovich shines as his character's aloof persona moves about unhurriedly and only the most disturbing event imaginable gets him riled to the point of some level of action. I believe the greatest disgrace, among several is Petrus' reaction to the rape and violence perpetrated upon his white neighbors. His matter-of-fact behavior, deceit and rationalization is absolutely astounding. The inference I drew is that as whites they had it coming to them. Also a disgrace is the decision by Lucy to remain even though she knows she was a target for the jackroll and may be again. It's clear that as a white woman she is a favored target. That Lucy and David lower their guards to perhaps prevent the assaults is almost beyond belief and shows the naiveté and vulnerability of these whites who fall from power. The movie reveals the deep racism and hatred in South Africa.

The only reason this movie gets a 3 is that the actors did a reasonable job with a completely unidentifiable storyline.The movie starts off setting a scene with a professor that has completely selfish motives and that karma seems to come back to bite him.But the bad decisions of both Malkovich's character and his daughter make. Even in the context of the story, let alone reality. I can't imagine anyone who is raped wanting to live anywhere near their rapists? Then also the decisions that are taken following the attack..This makes absolutely no sense at all.I have no idea how this movie was rated so high.

not much can be said for the movie since the book itself was actually quite horrid. the implications that that lucy and lurie deserved being attacked because their black attackers suffered from apartheid is stupid and only serves to breed ignorance. J.M. Coetzee would move to Australia and tolerate terrorism. the book and this movie was a disgrace and a waste of malkovich's talents. in comparison to malkovich, the other characters are 2D and cliché. the portrayals of africans in the film is ... well we all hope its incorrect nowadays but it certainly supported apartheid then. the object the author wished to make is terribly delivered, making you question what on earth was he thinking