Review of Irreversible (2002) by Vic R — 02 Jan 2010

Although, nowhere near the work of art that its proponents would have you believe, this film cannot be completely dismissed either. Noe's film is pompous and self-important and by using homosexuality as short hand for "evil" he proves himself intellectually lazy.

The film is extremely gimmick-ridden with its helicoptering camera and celebrity power couple casting (intentionally in response to Kubrick's casting of Eyes Wide Shut ? note the 2001 reference, also) the film continually distances the audience.

If Noe truly wanted to convey how minor decisions impact our everyday existences, he should have cast less recognizable actors. All these tricks keep us at arm?s length, except during the film?s two most notorious scenes.

This appears to be Noe?s intention, to sucker punch the audience. Noe thinks he is Haneke but completely lacks that filmmaker?s moral authority. He simply wants to dare the audience to look away and if we do he tells us that we can?t handle the truth.

Noe?s truth, by the way (conveyed in giant title cards) is that TIME DESTROYS EVERYTHING. This could be far more subtly conveyed by a time lapse of decomposing fruit but Noe will never be accused of being subtle.

However, if you can survive the film?s first half the second section has resonance, as we witness the quaint moments of the relationship, fully aware of the atrocities that will follow. So, despite what Noe would have you believe, the film is an exploitative stunt, but an extremely well executed one.

This gets a minor recommendation for its audacity (and occasional success) but is recommended only to masochistic audiences. The original Funny Games is far less graphic and actually MORE upsetting.