The Movies That We Love And Breathe

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Compelling. Shocking. Graphic.


Irreversible(2002)

(French, with English subtitles)
Genre: Drama / Horror / Thriller
Director: Gaspar Noé

Cast:
Monica Bellucci .... Alex
Vincent Cassel .... Marcus
Albert Dupontel .... Pierre




Written and Directed by Gaspar Noe(I haven't seen his other films) this French movie is by far one of the most disturbing movies ever made. If you thought A Clockwork Orange was violent, you really need to see this. Its not entirely gore, there's no gangsters, no guns,.. the characters are regular people. One moment you're squirming in your seat at some of the most disgusting and violent acts ever viewed on screen and in the other you're lost in a tender love scene of a couple waking up to each other.

When it was shown at Cannes Film Festival, around 200 people(mostly professional film critics) walked out of the screening, sickened(physically) and needing medical attention. I don't believe in giving out any spoilers so I won't delve into the story. Basically, the gruesome events taking place on a night in Paris are shown backwards (a la Christopher Nolan's Memento). I can't even begin to tell you how real the movie is. It consists of 12 seperate single-take continuous segments without cuts. Camerawork is mostly handheld and its constant movement might cause viewers to get nauseated. The acting is very natural, much of the dialogue is unscripted and Monica Belucci is beauty personified.


The film doesn't glorify or glamorize violence. Yes, there is a stark & horrifying rape scene and a brutal murder, both shot very explicitly but then again, its a sick world, face it. These things happen at alarming rates as per crime statistics in the US/India/anywhere in the world.

Verdict: Unforgivingly disturbing. Not for the faint of heart.

posted by Vincent at 4:16 AM

7 Comments:

  • Interesting...

    I had seen Clockwork Orange and thought that was really horrible.

    I need to see this, atleast for Monica Bellucci!!

    Nayantharava kindal adichchavaLa summava vidapporeenga..ambaLai singamnu kaattunga saar!!:)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:39 PM  

  • lol... if you thought Clockwork Orange was horrible, this movie will scar you for life. :)
    Some prude critic called this movie "smut-art". Need I say more?

    By Blogger Vincent, at 3:01 PM  

  • @kaushik
    Irreversible contains only 2 excessively violent scenes. Yes, two. But the duration and impact of these two scenes stay in your head long after you've watched it. There's a movie beyond these two scenes which definitely stands out as stunning filmmaking.

    @intern
    I haven't seen "History of violence". I just read the imdb page for Christopher Nolan's "Following".
    A movie on stalkers/voyeurs eh? Will definitely check it out :)


    @intern, Kaushik
    The theme of Clockwork Orange was so far ahead of its time, its very relevant even today and probably will be for years to come. The film is an excellent satire on society. I wonder why its not as popular among parents as it should be. :)

    and who can forget "Hi, Hi, Hi..." and Ludwig Van :D

    By Blogger Vincent, at 12:24 PM  

  • Oh cool. Will check it out for MBellucci.. :D *comon she acts well*

    Guys V for Vendetta is awsome..esp check the OST at the end. Liked the concept of mask.

    By Blogger Φ, at 5:15 AM  

  • dude..have u seen followin(christopher nolan) debut movie?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:07 PM  

  • Φ,
    You'll surely see a different side of Monica Bellucci here. Will watch V for Vendetta this week, I've heard bad reviews, not sure what its going to be like.

    yuvraj,
    Intern was talking about Nolan's Following. It does sound "kick-ass". :)

    By Blogger Vincent, at 12:08 PM  

  • The Wachowskis really screwed up the Matrix sequels & killed the franchise. I can't hate them enough.

    By Blogger Vincent, at 12:10 PM  

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