Review of Irreversible (2002) by Connor M — 10 Oct 2013

The best part about Irreversible is it's incredible camera work and fantastic editing. Not many people point this out, but all of the scenes are filmed in one take, which is a just simply amazing. This makes the film take on a more hypnotic viewing, sucking the viewer into it's story and refusing to shy away from any of the details. The camera doesn't shy away from the violence, whether it's the popular fire extinguisher bashing, or the notorious ten minute rape scene. Due to this, the viewer feels like he is witnessing these events firsthand; it destroys the common barrier between the audience and the film's universe.

This lasts until the last thirty minutes. For the two people who didn't already know this, Irreversible takes place in reverse order. This means that the film's first hour contains this dark, gritty atmosphere that quickly reveals all of the unflinching violence and character actions without the audience knowing what's even happening in the film. Really, if someone didn't know that this film had such a strange structure, they would probably go on believing that the film is playing out in a normal sequence until the rape scene, where the main story has already been connected. The story is also extremely simplistic for such a magnificently thought out work such as Irreversible. A woman gets raped and beaten into a coma and her boyfriend and ex-boyfriend look for the culprit. With the ending already being spoiled at the beginning (or end, whatever) of the film, this leaves no room for surprise, except for the infamous violent content.

The last thirty minutes of this film could be described by the average twelve year old as "boring", while I more lean towards the idea that these last few scenes shouldn't have been included. While I do understand that the director wanted to point out that the actions of the characters are 'irreversible' and that they will no longer be able to return to those happy moments seen at the end (or beginning, whatever) or the film, it just makes the characters seem like they are actually likable.

Alex constantly switches from acting slutty to acting very stuck-up. This could be due to the reveal at the end (WHATEVER) of the film, but it still really bothers me.

Pierre just acts very creepy; pestering Alex and Marcus with very personal sexual questions. This is even worse, because Pierre looks to be like he could be Alex's father. He also complains a lot, and doesn't leave when he's told to, and wants to leave when he is told to stay. Really, he's just there to hit somebody with a fire extinguisher.

Marcus is the definition of a terrible person. He consistently wants to cheat on Alex, and beats random people up when they don't answer his questions about two seconds after he asks them. He's also a racist and a homophobe, so that's always a great time.

I don't know if making the characters have the appeal of a school bus fire was intentional, but it really screws up the point of the movie, it's structure, and it's title.

Come for the violence, stay for the cinematography, and consider leaving after realizing how flawed the story and characters are.