 |
In 1997, writer-director Michael Haneke (CACHE) made the controversial Austrian thriller, FUNNY GAMES, about two young men who terrorize a family on vacation. A decade later, Haneke was convinced by producer Chris Coen to bring the story to America, filming a nearly word-for-word, shot-for-shot English-language version, even re-creating the locations and sets as obsessively as possible. Shortly after Ann (Naomi Watts), George (Tim Roth), and Georgie (Devon Gearhart) arrive in their country home, Peter (Brady Corbet), an eerily polite young man dressed all in white, including odd white gloves, appears on the doorstep, asking Ann if he can borrow some eggs for their neighbor. Peter is joined by Paul (Michael Pitt), and the Leopold-and-Loeb-like duo are soon doing horrible things to Ann, George, and Georgie, torturing them both physically and psychologically (nearly all the violence occurs off-screen), for no apparent reason other than they can, referring to the whole thing as a game. And the biggest game of all is whether the family will be alive at the end. FUNNY GAMES is an intense experience, driven by Haneke's careful manipulation of both the film itself and the audience. He's trying to shake up the viewer, even having Paul address the audience directly several times, with Paul fully aware of what he is doing and how the audience is most likely responding. And in one unforgettable scene, Haneke pulls the cathartic rug right out from under the viewer, playing with the actual medium of cinema in an infuriating and ingenious way. Roth and Watts give outstanding performances as the victims, matched by Pitt and Corbet's deeply unsettling creepiness. Just as Peter and Paul (who also call themselves Tom and Jerry and Beavis and Butt-Head) alternate between calm and violent, the soundtrack alternates between classical music by Handel, Mozart, and others and hardcore punk from John Zorn and Naked City. Though difficult to watch, FUNNY GAMES is ultimately a rewarding and illuminating film, though not for the squeamish. This film is definitely not for everyone. It is harrowing, cruel, intense, and brilliantly executed. But for those with a sensitivity to great filmmaking, it is a wonderful gift. It is indeed hard to watch at times, while somehow preventing you from looking away. There is no graphic violence shown onscreen, but its effects are shown to shattering effect. The view becomes a witness to the deepest suffering. I was so identified with the victims that I felt numb afterwards. The acting is extraordinary all around. The cinematography, design, and direction are on the highest level. Category: Suspense, Horror, Mystery, Family, Sports/Recreation, Thriller, Hostages, Golf Studio: Warner Home Video Orig Year 2008 Discs 1 Release Date: Jun 10, 2008 Starring: Tim Roth, Naomi Watts, Michael Pitt, Brady Corbet, Devon Gearhart Director: Michael Haneke Director of Photography: Darius Khondji Executive Producer: Naomi Watts, Philippe Aigle, Carole Siller, Douglas Steiner Producer: Hengameh Panahi, Andro Steinborn, Hamish McAlpine, Chris Coen, Christian Baute Screenwriter: Michael HanekeRead full review
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best-selling in DVDs & Blu-rays
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-rays
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
