Re-evaluating my primary review.I am pre-occupied on the reasons of "why and "how".Noe admits to the viewer the immeasurable shock of the despaired individuals of his film caused by yes,unfair stupidities,enlightens their path gifted with the "style",provokes.A daring French filmmaker,a truthful plot,considering "performance" and post-modern art are the important messages,so occasions like these happen.That's life and that's the mystery of it.
Like in `Memento', the story is presented backwards, in a reverse chronology, from the credits to the beginning. The performance of the cast and the direction, photography and soundtrack are stunning. Unforgettably cruel and disturbing
Original review (05/15/08) : "I've been anticipating this one for quite some time now, and boy did it deliver. "Irreversible" is one of the few movies that offers highly controversial matters with nearly perfect executions. Practically everything in this film has a purpose and is handled expertly.
Obviously an Existentialist film, dualities are scattered abroad and are often discussed in the dialogue: the decision-making, the philosophical books, and even a "2001" reference - neat-o!
But back to the part that causes people to faint and stuff: the extremely graphic portions. "Irreversible" has one of the most up-close feelings I've had in a movie since the last 3-D film that I watched. Visceral movements with the camera and some mighty fine transitions help make this possible, especially during the first quarter, where red lights flutter like crazy. (Also might wanna mention the great tactic used in the underground club: Darkness and dim colors concealing the CGI.) Furthermore, there's all sorts of sex, blood, and gore.... but you already knew that, right?
"Irreversible" is somewhat similar to "Memento" with the reverse chronology, but is still original. Any negative reviews would pertain to the intensity so don't let that discourage you from watching this masterpiece." _____________________________________
2nd glance: A flawless film. Probably the most thought-provoking revenge film I've ever seen. The shocking scenes are still as powerful the second time around (Probably because of the infrasound) and new details are easily noticed. Like the rape scene: throughout the entire movie, Noe flaunts an impressive cinematic prowess but doesn't in one particular scene to not glorify it. A true genius and gentleman, Noe should be appreciated more. Those that haven't seen this movie yet should immediately seek it for a unique experience. Unique, I said.
At first, I got confused and pissed off with the way the camera moves. but when the movie reaches the middle, it gets normal (almost) again. The acting is kinda cool. The most explicit movie I have ever seen, esp. the scene where Pierre crushed the man's head and when Monica Bellucci raped. Sick! sick! sick!
What was so amazing about this film is that it being Memento style, you see the acts of violence and cruelty for what they are instead of knowing the person.and understanding the reasons why. You walk away from this film as a completely different person in my opinion, looking at humanity in a new way and yourself as well. I do love the relationship that Marcus and Alex have, which is a relief since you are still a bit shocked from the rape scene. Being married in real life probably helps haha, but they gave the audience such a relief. Great acting, great story, the camerawork in the beginning though does get me a bit headachy.
1st part of the movie is really sick, yet realistic .. the cam got me a headache .. the rape scene gave me a boner at 1st and teared at the end .. the last part of the movie is nice, i like it. over all, film has a very nice idea, but i dont think it was done that good.
So I watched this in my friend's house while his sister was singing gospel in her room. We had to put it on mute several times and most of the movie we simply skipped to the interesting parts. Even so, I still can see what makes this a remarkable picture in terms of creativity, photography and story. The polemic parts are, indeed, shocking although I find the raping scene unecessary. Seems like the director simply wanted to shock us and not send us a message and makes us see what's behind that. Bellucci fortunately acts brilliantly and makes the scene have its "charm" if I can say so. If you are one of the few who can endure this movie, be happy. If you're only doing it because it's cult and people say it's important, don't. You will probably do the same thing I did: fast-foward.
This was probably the most disturbing film I have ever seen, but I was really impressed with how it was done. A French film with a unique way of showing you a story with such great impact for those who can stand to watch it. Right after I watched it, I sat there quiety stunned for a very long time.
"Those who are up to the task of enduring Irreversible will find much of worth in the experience. But those who can't take the extreme, in this case an almost ten minute on-screen rape and the brutal murder of a man by fire extinguisher to the head, will no doubt stop watching before the conclusion of scene one."
Loathsome and perverse. Utterly nonjudgmental, amoral. A languid, prolonged act of rape by a depraved monster sodomizing a beautiful woman is revenged with barbaric rage by her lover who tracks the culprit to gay gang bang bar named "The Rectum" where hard core S&M fags jerk off over violence. You have to obstinate to endure this artistic crap which would be porn were it not for the central story of vengeance.
I remember watching this movie at one in the morning. I had the sound turned up and I sat and watched the entire thing. The film is like a punch to the gut and that feeling never leaves until the final moments of when the film is about to end. And oh, what a beautiful and painful ending it is.
This movie makes me want to throw up all over myself........if watching a skull being crushed to tiny bits and a woman getting anally raped for over 8 minutes is your thing than go for it. I'm just warning you ahead of time now.
I gave this movie half a star because ANYone who performs a 9? minute anal rape scene deserves SOMEthing. I appreciate the message this movie was trying to get across...I really do. However....after months of hearing how disturbing this movie was and after finally seeing it...I just wasn't that impressed. I'm sure the filming style was supposed to be 'artsy' or heighten the mood or some such bullshit but the overall effect was that they hired a camera operator with epilepsy. In my opinion this detracted from and overshadowed the rest of the movie preventing me from taking anything more than annoyance with me when it was finally over.
I just came from watching Memento and I guess the editing style made me think of this film. Of all the films I have seen, excluding the horror/thrillers, I must say Irreversible shocked me the most. I almost felt like skipping some of the scenes but they were more intriguing than they were graphic so i was compelled to watch the whole of the movie. I have never seen so much anger, cruelty and hunger for revenge in a film until this one. It's an amazing story, but it would probably take a long time for me to want to see this again.
The camera work at the beginning got a little annoying, but after you get into "club rectum" it's impossible to pull away though every measure is taken to make you want to. I don't know if all ten minute of rape were necessary for us to know that a character had been raped, but the brutality does alter the context of everything in the film. It's really disturbing, and manages to employ the backwards editing technique to great effect. The acting was amazing, the Godardesque discussion on the train was hilarious, and the 2001 wormhole ending was brilliant. If you want to see a literate, savage, sophisticated "revenge" film, which is far greater than the sum of it's parts, and manages to say some profound things about fate, choice, and of course revenge. Not for the weak of stomach, as this is very, very, difficult to watch, but to the brave go the spoils. Phenomenal filmmaking, and perhaps the best film about "revenge", ever made.
cant get pass the idea that it was only played in reverse as the story has been told many times, whack in sum fx and tarantino the timeline. recommend it fully as the acting is superb, glorious long takes show their talent, im just not calling it genius,
Studied this in film studies class in the 'shocking cinema' topic. Cinematography is stunning with some really graphic and yes, 'shocking' scenes. You cant really explain how this film makes you feel, you will have to see for yourselves. A rather nauseating experience but then again a must see for the camera work!
The more I watch this film, the more I fall in love with it. I know that will sound strange because there was a ten minute rape scene, but I fell in love with the story and the relationship each character had for one another. It's a very dark, moody, and disturbing film and if you get disturbed by rape and ultra violent crap don't watch this film. Otherwise I encourage everyone to see it! Bellucci deserves an Oscar already!
Dark. Disturbing. Scary. Beautifully shot and brilliant.
As many of you probably already know, the whole movie is shot backwards. A few people that I talked to had shut this movie off in very beginning. They said that it gave them a headache, or that nothing was happening and that it made no sense. The few people who I know that actually sat through the whole thing said things like "it was too boring", or that "it wasn't shocking at all." I only know about three other people who personally love this movie like I do. Then again, I haven't sat down with too many people to watch this movie with. A lot of my friends don't even care much about the "art form" of films, let alone seriously appreciate films overall. That's another reason why I joined Flixster too, so I can finally talk to some people who are actually on the same level of film appreciation as I am. Now that I'm on this site I have found even more people who are actually into Irreversible and who understand it's brilliance. On the other hand I have read some negative reviews, and it seems that they're the same exact reasons why my friends hated it. I guess this is just a love it or hate it kind of movie. I for one loved it!
Plot -
"Events over the course of one traumatic night in Paris unfold in reverse-chronological order as the beautiful Alex is brutally raped and beaten by a stranger in the underpass. Her boyfriend and ex-lover take matters into their own hands by hiring two criminals to help them find the rapist so that they can exact revenge. A simultaneously beautiful and terrible examination of the destructive nature of cause and effect, and how time destroys everything."
I can't understand why some people didn't find this movie to be shocking. I watch a lot of hardcore, sickly difficult films all the time and this is indeed one of them. What more shock value did people want from this film?...A nine minute rape scene in 3D? This is one brutal movie. Maybe it's because some people just view this for the shock value alone and become disappointed by the overall quantity of disturbing imagery. It does seem to slow down a bit and almost come to a stop as the movie progresses. But this movie isn't just all about the violence and the gore, there's more to it here. This movie has a very strong message and it also tells a very emotional and complex story(carried along with some great cinematography). The acting in this is outstanding. Vincent Cassel's performance is truly fierce and ferocious. There's some truly powerful stuff here.
Sick and violent. This is in fact a very disturbing movie, as well as a high quality film. Highly Recommended...if you can stomach this.
Perfectly executed. One of the most well-crafted films I've ever seen. Dizzying animal terror. Swirling, whirling cameras and a soundtrack designed to induce nausea make watching this film a physical experience. Super punk. Not for everybody. I'm glad it went backward. Ends sweetly. Super sweet. Bravo.
MCT:October 2, 2008
MCT:September 29, 2008
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MCT:September 10, 2008
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MCT:August 23, 2008
