Review of Funny Games (1997) by Sean N — 16 Jan 2009
Long takes are the real focus here because Hanake really wants us to feel the impact of violence on a seemingly innocent family of three. The antagonists we never get a clear history to except they may or may not be drug addicts and they may or may not be from rich or poor backgrounds.
This also serves to symbolize that no matter what background or class someone is a part of, they fall to the influence of violent actions equally. The best part is that the characters of Peter and Paul don't actually break the fourth wall.
It's a very real situation they're creating even when Peter looks directly into the camera and winks. It's only when the mother shoots Paul that she has truly broken the fourth wall by trying to make an impossible change in a very realistic situation that she maybe cannot accept might be happening.
It's hard to explain but my thoughts of it are pretty clear.
This review of Funny Games (1997) was written by Sean N on 16 Jan 2009.
Funny Games has generally received positive reviews.
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