Review of Irreversible (2002) by Tilldog T — 03 Jan 2011

Just a warning for the faint hearted: This highly controversial French drama by Gaspar Noe features graphic sexual and physical violence and content, and Monica Bellucci being raped for 10 minutes. What you will find, is that Irreversible is something that you will not forget, for better or for worse.

The plot of Irreversible is structured in a reverse chronological/ non-linear structure (like Memento). Although what the film is about is not clear at the beginning, you put the puzzle pieces together as the film progresses. Marcus (Vincent Cassel) finds with his friend Pierre (Albert Dupontel) that Marcus' girlfriend Alex (Bellucci) has been raped and bashed into a coma. Marcus and Pierre then go on a search to get revenge on the one who raped Alex.

The first half of Irreversible is, apart from the gay sex, transvestites, violence and rape, mesmerising and adrenaline pumping. You'll probably have no idea what's going on, with the camera constantly twisting and turning and the low frequency sound, used to create a sense of unease within the audience, which it most certainy succeeds in doing. Although you probably won't have a clue of what is going on in the beginning, all you can do is sit and watch until you get it. Some may find the controversial content and the filming style off-putting. Others, myself included, will find it somewhat artistic. What's interesting is that the whole film is made to look like it was filmed in one shot, making the film all the more thrilling and intriguing.

Time is a reoccuring theme throughout the film, and it's quite ironic, as when the film moves on to the second half, you kind of lose interest in the film and the characters, as substance that makes Irreversible the film that it is, has already happened, and leaves the film with nowhere else to really go. The use of Beethoven at the end is effective asis the soundtrack throughout by Thomas Bangalter (of Daft Punk), and the performances are good enough to keep you going until the end, but the plodding second half is nowhere near as electrifying as the first half. The result is that the first and second half feel like two different films.

Overall, Irreversible is a technical and artistic achievement that will turn many off due to its disturbing content, which is a shame, because it is quite an interesting watch. Just be prepared if you do watch it.