no, i'm not being unduly negative but it's the catchphrase for the latest movie i've seen, namely -- Irreversible. the sophomore effort of french director Gaspar Noe, the only star recognizable outside of french cinema in this movie is the perpetually ethereal, monica belluci (remember her scene-stealing moments in matrix reloaded???).
Irreversible begins wif the end credits rolling backwards and the opening phrase "time destroys everything." The first half of this movie was shot using a handheld camera which every so often, spins & turns out of focus of the speaking actors, thus producing a dizzying atmosphere. On top of that, a low, distorted soundtrack was added to the background which only worsens the overall vertigo effect. Because the movie runs backwards ala memento, we see the first two central characters, pierre & marcus, being arrested as they emerge frm a subterranean gay S&M club, aptly named The Rectum. In a series of dizzying shots, audience members are then treated to the most violent scene in the movie; marcus got into a brawl wif a club patron & had his arm broken.. the former was about to be literally analled when pierre suddenly appeared & whacked the latter's face wif a huge fire extinguisher. Repeatedly.. until all that's left is a gory pulp. (i was so disgusted i had to force myself to swallow the bile that was rising in my throat!! it's that gross!) However, before the audience could recover from their shock, the rape scene occurred less than fifteen minutes later. the central character alex (belluci) is brutally assaulted in a lonely underpass & what transpired is probably the most terrible rape scene ever filmed in cinema history. For emphasis, this is the only scene in the entire film when the camera is fixed in one position. However, the rest of the scenes unspool in increasing mildness as the relationship between Alex, Pierre & Marcus are gradually fleshed out so that we may get a glimpse of their psyche. In contrast to the chaotic start, the film ends wif a tranquil shot of kids playing in a park as Alex lies close by on the grass, resting wif a book in her hands.
this is certainly a very disturbing & controversial movie & director gaspar noe obviously is not afraid to make use of shock factors to make his point. time & again, several themes recur as the movie unwinds itself as if to give a prophetic feel to the violent events at the start. Irreversible focuses to evoke extreme emotions in the audience (and it does so successfully) rather than to engage them spontaneously to favor the characters. It is unclear what exactly is the purpose of such gruesome visuals but each scene reverberates wif so much attack & power (even the non-violent ones) that one can't help but to still think about the movie long after one leaves the cinema. Perhaps by showing the scenes in reverse, we are able to empathise less & to judge more objectively the heinous acts. Perhaps the vertigo produced by the soundtrack & camerawork is a direct manifestation of the confused rage felt by the on-screen characters. Whatever the case, the film has effectively made me think.. and therefore it deserves 4.5 / 5 stars.
PS1. This is the first time i feel emotionally sickened yet simultaneously fulfilled as i leave the cinema. How ironic...
PS2. For those who movie-watch to relax after a stressful day at work/school, avoid Irreversible at all cost. it is NOT an escapist's show~ you'd feel even heavier than before you entered the cinema!
