Review of Funny Games (1997) by Paul N — 19 May 2008

After watching Funny Games and an interview with Michael Haneke I couldn't decided whether he was a genius or completely full of crap. I thought about it for HOURS in the days that followed (at home, at work, while driving, eating and maybe even once while sleeping) before coming to the realization that the fact that he made me think about it so much meant Haneke was successful on some level.

The way he toys with viewers' minds and creates situations that make you root for violence is frightening and the worst part is that you have no clue you're been manipulated...until he slaps you in the face with a scene that is so off the wall its only purpose is to point a big accusing finger at you and say "Ha ha! Look what I made you do!".

I'm still not sure I buy into his reasoning for remaking his own film ten years later ("Don't ask why I did it, ask why you're watching it again.") but there is definitely something to be said for the original. Will I see the remake? Probably, just out of sheer curiosity, but it's been about a month since I watched the original and I'm not sure I can put myself through it again just yet.

"You're always an accomplice to the killer if you watch this kind of film.".

~Michael Haneke.