Review of Polytechnique (2009) by Alex R — 18 Apr 2013

Dennis Villeneuve's retelling of the December 6, 1989 massacre at L' École Polytechnique de Montréal. This is a disturbing picture that plunges the viewer deep in the drama of the massacre. This is a superbly acted film that the tragedy in a subtle, respectable and doesn't intend to disrespect the memory of the 14 women that were murdered.

Dennis Villeneuve is a great filmmaker and he treats his subject in a unique way. This is a film that can stir up some emotions of course, and most all debate. I believe that this is an important film that is very well done and told in such way that you will walk away from it and think about how things horrible tragedy could have occurred.

The performances stand out, and the lead actor who plays Marc Lépine (the killer responsible for the shooting) is brilliant and menacing. Polytechnique is a film that illustrates how far someone can go when they filled with pure hatred, and Villeneuve captures that brilliantly through his camera.

This is not a picture that should be seen by everyone as it is a hard film to watch, but at the same time it is a necessary one to watch so we can all learn from it, and prevent other such atrocities to ever happen again.

The 14 women that lost their lives did not deserve that faith. No one deserves to be murdered like this, no matter if they're male or female. This is one of the most depressing films that I have seen in quite some time, and when the carnage that was unleashed on-screen ended, I was fairly shaken up.

Polytechnique is a well directed drama based on one of Canada's greatest tragedy. If you do decide to watch this, be warned that this is a raw, intense film that plunges the viewer directly into the carnage in an unflinching manner.

Brilliantly told, this is one of those films that due to the subject matter, doesn't warrant multiple viewings.