I looked forward to watching this movie since its theatrical release, but it's been today when I've finally been able to experience it. Yes, I mean 'experience'. Because the vast majority of the film is an experience, not just a story.
I was attracted to it by the hugely polarized critical reactions arisen. Nobody showed a mild response to the flick: that's always exciting to me and, sometimes, the sign of a great movie. But even though I was prepared for some sickening stuff, I admit this one caught me off the guard. And this comes from someone who loves gore and stands violence almost impassively (I remark I'm talking about movies, just in case).
'Irreversible' is a movie that feeds on all those aspects of life we shun even talking about, and it's just that, and nothing else (I mean it's not the infamous fire extinguisher / rape scenes, although they are two of the most horrifying images I've seen on a screen) what make the film so incredibly disturbing.
To be quick and to the point: 'Irreversible' is telling you 'this is life, this is tragedy, it could strike you anytime, and there is NOTHING you can do about it, just pray it will never be your turn'. 'Irreversible' triggers feelings of loss, sadness, anger, hate, fear... plain depression, and all multiplied by 100 via camera-work. If an event makes you angry, Mr. Noe will get the camera moving in order to make you angrier; if an event is tragic, the director will make it insufferable. Believe me, this movie goes for the gut, and succeeds.
But that's not the only trick: throughout the movie, we get to see a lot of moments where everything could have been avoided. As spectators, we can do nothing but feel sorry for the characters, and for ourselves too, wondering how much little decisions may affect our fate.
On the technical level, this movie is nothing short of wonderful. The actors are superb, the camera work is sublime (ignore the critics: it may seem gratuitous at first, but once the movie goes on, you definitely see a purpose, and a very justified one), and the script, despite of endless cursing, works fantastically, making it all feel very real. Some scenes are clockwork of calculated chaos: four people arguing aloud at the same time, but giving their lines at the very right moment, adding it all up to the most realistic scenes of confusion I've seen in a long time.
In regards to violence, I've tried to avoid any commentary in order to focus on what I feel it's important about this movie, but it's nearly impossible, so here are my two cents: I find hilarious the accusations of exploitation. As I understand, exploitation is the inclusion of gratuitous scenes of sex / violence in a movie for the enjoyment of the audience. Well, what we see in 'Irreversible' might be considered gratuitous to some (not at all for me, but I understand the debate), but what it isn't definitely is enjoyable. Anyone accusing 'Irreversible' of being exploitative is saying that scenes of rape and brutal murder are enjoyable, when they are devoid of all humor or satire. Well, I think that speaks for itself...
So, if your stomach is strong and your emotional endurance is high, I recommend you this movie without any reservation. You will have an awful time, but it will be worth it from a cinematographic point of view.
RATING: 8.9
I was attracted to it by the hugely polarized critical reactions arisen. Nobody showed a mild response to the flick: that's always exciting to me and, sometimes, the sign of a great movie. But even though I was prepared for some sickening stuff, I admit this one caught me off the guard. And this comes from someone who loves gore and stands violence almost impassively (I remark I'm talking about movies, just in case).
'Irreversible' is a movie that feeds on all those aspects of life we shun even talking about, and it's just that, and nothing else (I mean it's not the infamous fire extinguisher / rape scenes, although they are two of the most horrifying images I've seen on a screen) what make the film so incredibly disturbing.
To be quick and to the point: 'Irreversible' is telling you 'this is life, this is tragedy, it could strike you anytime, and there is NOTHING you can do about it, just pray it will never be your turn'. 'Irreversible' triggers feelings of loss, sadness, anger, hate, fear... plain depression, and all multiplied by 100 via camera-work. If an event makes you angry, Mr. Noe will get the camera moving in order to make you angrier; if an event is tragic, the director will make it insufferable. Believe me, this movie goes for the gut, and succeeds.
But that's not the only trick: throughout the movie, we get to see a lot of moments where everything could have been avoided. As spectators, we can do nothing but feel sorry for the characters, and for ourselves too, wondering how much little decisions may affect our fate.
On the technical level, this movie is nothing short of wonderful. The actors are superb, the camera work is sublime (ignore the critics: it may seem gratuitous at first, but once the movie goes on, you definitely see a purpose, and a very justified one), and the script, despite of endless cursing, works fantastically, making it all feel very real. Some scenes are clockwork of calculated chaos: four people arguing aloud at the same time, but giving their lines at the very right moment, adding it all up to the most realistic scenes of confusion I've seen in a long time.
In regards to violence, I've tried to avoid any commentary in order to focus on what I feel it's important about this movie, but it's nearly impossible, so here are my two cents: I find hilarious the accusations of exploitation. As I understand, exploitation is the inclusion of gratuitous scenes of sex / violence in a movie for the enjoyment of the audience. Well, what we see in 'Irreversible' might be considered gratuitous to some (not at all for me, but I understand the debate), but what it isn't definitely is enjoyable. Anyone accusing 'Irreversible' of being exploitative is saying that scenes of rape and brutal murder are enjoyable, when they are devoid of all humor or satire. Well, I think that speaks for itself...
So, if your stomach is strong and your emotional endurance is high, I recommend you this movie without any reservation. You will have an awful time, but it will be worth it from a cinematographic point of view.
RATING: 8.9