MovieChat Forums > Haute tension (2005) Discussion > I think a simple re- edit could make thi...

I think a simple re- edit could make this WAY better.... {spoilers}

posted 11 years ago by rumblmonkey
5 replies | jump to latest

Cut out the scene where the police spot Marie on the security footage and move it to the end.

If the killings are told from Marie's point of view, why would she tell that part? How would she KNOW that part?

Let the car chase continue. Marie supposedly defeats the serial killer (her personality re-asserts itself) and she returns to the van to free Alex. Instead of seeming grateful and relieved; Alex attacks Marie and runs. Marie grabs the buzz saw and gives chase. (Don't switch back to the old man. ) At this point the audience may be confused. Is Alex just traumatized or is something more at work here? As Marie jumps on the car killing the bystander the audience begins to realize something more IS at going on. Marie professes her profound and unstable love for Alex. Alex eventually stops Marie ...with a crowbar through the chest.... and then we see Marie is in the hospital with the staff and police showing her the surveillance video. The last shot is that little glance Marie gives to the camera.

viola'.....
what do you think?

[–] Rasputaina 11 years ago

Marie didn't tell them about the video footage. They saw that, after they discovered the gas station. That was how the police knew it was her.

Wisdom Begins in Wonder

[–] rumblmonkey 11 years ago

the very beginning and the very end show Marie in a hospital.... everything in between is her story....
yes, the surveillance footage is what gives her away.... which is why it belongs outside her story.
its a crappy story where much does not add up.... but all its faults can be excused when it stays in the frame of a crazy person's story.... heck, even leave the part of the old fat man killer appearing out of nowhere after he supposedly died.
THEN reveal at the very end.

[–] sm-meehan 11 years ago

the very beginning and the very end show Marie in a hospital.... everything in between is her story....

Actually, no. Her story is from the very beginning until the gas station scene. After the gas station scene, all the events actually happen. I know she changes back and forth between herself and the male killer, however that is to show the viewer her split personality. In actuality, it was just Marie and everything after her releasing Alex from the truck was real and not her story.

[–] lathe-of-heaven 11 years ago

Most interesting...

I have not and WILL not watch this film; just because personally I have absolutely NO interest in and do not like these kinds of brutal films. However, being curious, I've been reading a LOT about it here. And, from everything that I've read, I do believe that you are right! From the overview of the full synopsis and from what everyone has said, I can see where you are coming from and I DO indeed believe that if they left out the obvious reveal of the video footage, that the audience would have been far more mystified and ultimately the impact could have been stronger. VERY good insight mate!

I would SUPPOSE that seeing the video footage, and having THAT be 'The Reveal' does have it's effective moment and the audience would be pretty shocked, but I like the overall effect of editing it the way you said. That way, although you don't have the immediate shock value of the video reveal, I think that overall you would have a much more powerful impact as the audience more gradually comes to understand what is happening.

Excellent!

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[–] chuggliams 10 years ago

I think that you and uber_mensch2012 should get together and do a re-write!
You both have interesting ideas about this film...