17-04-2011, 08:02
Just watched Gaspar Noe's IRREVERSIBLE (2002). I've owned it for a year or so but only now decided to watch it (not for squeamish reasons, just didn't want to rush it). Despite already knowing the impact it's had on many people and the revulsion with which they regard the film, it does leave an imprint on you. Visually, it's very stylised. Though it does seem to drive the film for the most part.
Personally, I didn't think the brutality of the film was justified ... but only because it doesn't need to be. In a world where horrific things happen on a daily basis, this film offers a disturbing and distasteful mirror to our own and asks you to observe it. Does it have to? No. Does it have the right to? Yes.
As for the reverse scene-by-scene order of the film, it works really well. In the correct order, Irreversible is merely a brutal snapshot of violence and excess. But in reverse, it makes you consider the merits of vigilantism and revenge. Also, unlike US/UK movies that mostly only offer a trite and saccharin happy ending, this one is much needed (even though it's at the start of the story).
Good film, well handled. Not for everyone. 7/10.
Personally, I didn't think the brutality of the film was justified ... but only because it doesn't need to be. In a world where horrific things happen on a daily basis, this film offers a disturbing and distasteful mirror to our own and asks you to observe it. Does it have to? No. Does it have the right to? Yes.
As for the reverse scene-by-scene order of the film, it works really well. In the correct order, Irreversible is merely a brutal snapshot of violence and excess. But in reverse, it makes you consider the merits of vigilantism and revenge. Also, unlike US/UK movies that mostly only offer a trite and saccharin happy ending, this one is much needed (even though it's at the start of the story).
Good film, well handled. Not for everyone. 7/10.