Review of Caché (2005) by David O — 05 Mar 2013

Parisian family are harassed by an unknown culprit sending them video footage of their home.

An intriguing premise covering the gamut of themes from voyeurism, terrorism, inner fears to perceptions of our own reality. The movie remains a cinematic puzzle with many critics arguing it's true meaning. I would hold my hands up and say I was lost by the end, what started out as a mystery, suspense quickly became social critique and an invitation to polemic discourse. What I did take away from my first viewing is a finer appreciation for director Haneke.

Haneke is a master of tension bringing a real sense of dread out of the mundane, his movies probe and prod not only the society we live in but also the viewers role in society. The movie Funny Games is perhaps the best example of this. Cache treads a similar line in it's probing of the viewer, though this is not as overt as in Funny Games but is more through the wearing down of the lead actor Daniel Autouil, who may I add gives a dignified performance of strength and courage.

With regards to the role of the viewer in Cache the theme is, 'what part do we play in this mans unravelling'. Haneke places Autouil dead center on the screen and slowly breaks him apart, perhaps this is deserved, perhaps not, the viewer is powerless just as he is and can only watch just as Autouil is watching. The viewer may inadvertently be a part of the terror, as suggested in certain readings of the movie.

What is evident is that the movie suggest so much more than it's basic premise. There are multiple readings of this movie, all of which hold water when assessing the details within the movie.

I haven't drawn conclusions on this movie as I feel that Haneke has deliberately left all doors open. I will say that this is a fine example of European cinema and a movie experience that few of a cinematic bent can dismiss.