This movie is an 8/10 for me, but what stops it from being higher is that considering the storyline is happening backwards, when the movie is in its last 20 minutes and is supposed to be coming to a grand conclusion, we are treated to the movie slowing down while it develops character.
shareIt's unlike Memento where it's pretty gripping throughout. One thing I liked was that the reverse chronological thing is stated in the synopsis so you can be surprised with the answer to "what led to these events?" first viewing. Memento requires a second viewing usually, but then there's no surprise.
shareI somehow missed this message. But yeah, I recall the DVD I owned mentioning that it takes place in reverse order.
shareAfter the long rape sequence, the movie tones down and viewing becomes awkward: what are we waiting for?
shareExactly. It's a nice gimmick, but after the mystery of why they're doing what they're doing gets revealed, the only think left is just to introduce the characters we have already know for a while.
shareIt's indeed the only thing left, to introduce us the characters, which is done in a laid-back relaxed peaceful setting and perhaps that’s a charm of this offbeat movie after the violence, gore, dynamism, shocking effects, hubbub and action of the first half.
shareIt's a shame because it's such a great movie until this happens. The sudden shift when it was all non-stop earlier makes it seem so much longer to sit through.
shareIt's to show the brutal consequences of violence without handing out the predesposition of rooting for someome. If it was a straightforward vengance story one could root for the protagonist. This way one sees the brutal assault first and learns of the motives only afterwards so you're thrown off track when your initial response would be to emphatize with the victim.
This way it's a much more ambiguous notion whether to condone the violence when you're faced with it as an isolated act.
A difficult one. This movie. I saw it at a theater as a midnight showing. I had watched L’Appartement (excellent btw) with Cassel and Bellucci (made into Wicker Park) and wanted to see these two again.
Irreversible has the most violent act of any movie I’ve ever seen. So horrific they told Cassel (husband to Bellucci) not be on the set. Jo Prestia. A kickboxer who plays the pimp and assaults Monica Bellucci endlessly as she’s taking a shortcut underground. This guy was also in Crimson Rivers 2. The force of this guy. And he’s short. She’s two of him.
There are a lot of endearing husband and wife moments. As they were married in the film and obviously in real life. Cassel and Bellucci. So their love and nude scenes were effortless. Other Paris street scenes are fascinating. I liked the three friends on the bus with Albert Dupontel. The movie is grainy and dark. And the camera is shaky. Just a completely different movie and not like any other.
I'm aware of the purpose, and don't mind them going that route, but I wish there was a way they could have made it a little more exciting in that last 20 minutes. They even stopped doing that spinning camera technique.
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