Review of Martyrs (2008) by Jimmy P — 16 Jan 2010

Foreign French Film: This french horror film is as terrifying as anything ever released. it takes events from modern headlines and carries them to horrible, but utterly believable extremes. performances, photography, editing, score, sound design, direction are all spot on.

Martyrs meets the purest definition of Horror and left me a little numb. Two young girls exact revenge on the people who abused them, but their plan doesn't succeed entirely. The first two-thirds are brutal, cruel, bloody and grotesque as violent retribution shares the screen with disturbing, hallucinogenic imagery.

The last third is an attempt at meaning that falls dramatically short, but it is courageous, nonetheless. Borrowing elements from "Saw", "Hostel", "Irreversible", "Hellraiser" and "Salo", this is a film deserving of attention.

Unfortunately, it does outstay its welcome with its torrent of torture becoming endless and boring. Director Pascal Laugier uses a deft hand to provide background for the characters, but his clinical approach to the material robs it of any contrast -- the film is all crucifixion and no resurrection.

Certainly I found it engaging for most of the time, and I felt sympathy for the abused, centerpiece female (who wouldn't?), but her ordeal felt distant, too, and nothing was engaged but my sympathy.

The final revelation feels right, and explains most of what we've just seen, but it has little dramatic impact. Gruesome!