Jeez!!!!!! For the past thirteen years it has been impossible to get anything other than a crappy VHS copy of Michael Haneke's brilliant and disturbing "Benny's Video". Finally, it is out on DVD. It sure took 'em long enough! First off, if you think you're a film buff and you have never of Michael Haneke - THINK AGAIN. The Austrian Haneke is one of the great idiosyncratic filmmakers of our times. And his "emotional glaciation" trilogy (all of it finally out on DVD - hooray!!) deserves to be seen by everyone!! Everyone!! That means you! You - reading this!! "Benny's Video" is number two in the brilliant, brilliant trilogy and centers around 14-year old Benny, a young man consumed with violent media images and video. In particular, a video of a pig being slaughtered. Benny spends his days with his shades drawn, listening to speed metal and watching violent video images. He doesn't even look outside, but has a camera set up to play a constant, live "view" of the outside world on one of his TVs.
The plot essentially takes off when Benny invites a young girl (and possible love interest) back to his parents house while they are away.
"Benny's Video" is one of the great commentaries on violence in the media and social apathy. It ranks up there with "Man Bites Dog" and "Natural Born Killers".
The last third of the film lulls a little bit, but other than that this is essential Michael Haneke. Highly recommended.
The plot essentially takes off when Benny invites a young girl (and possible love interest) back to his parents house while they are away.
"Benny's Video" is one of the great commentaries on violence in the media and social apathy. It ranks up there with "Man Bites Dog" and "Natural Born Killers".
The last third of the film lulls a little bit, but other than that this is essential Michael Haneke. Highly recommended.