Brutal, realistic, and disorienting. "Irreversible" is told via the effective reverse expository method of Memento. When the viewer finally figures out exactly what is going on, he/she will feel a sense of vertigo as the previous events fall into place, and the brutality committed at the films beginning/end becomes something that the viewer can sympathize with. The film does not shy away from showing just how inhuman and terrifying the act of rape can be. The extraordinarily beautiful Monica Bellucci is the ideal actress to portray a woman who is unfortunately caught in the wrong place at the wrong time and falls victim to a depraved pervert who lacks empathy and morality. Her character makes a poor decision, and unfortunately thats all it takes in this world.
Director Gaspar Noe has a brave unflinching artistic yet realistic directorial style, and this movie is his best since "Mysterious Skin". He creates effective visual tension and mood. The acting is all top notch. This film is a low-budget french film, so don't go in expecting glossy Hollywood style filmmaking. Rape is a subject that is usually shied away from as the central idea for a movie, and for good reason. Nobody likes to see such a terrible thing being done to women(aside from rapists themselves), so don't expect to enjoy this film. What the film does offer is a journey into the very heart of those whose lives are destroyed by this kind of horror. The films ending/beginning is as brutal and unflinching as the rape itself, so be prepared for lots of explicit violence, language, and nudity. Watch this film, and allow yourself to feel the rage of Cassells character, as his whole world is destroyed. His character is quickly overcome by his desire for revenge and becomes more and more unhinged as the film progresses/regresses so too does the camera-work and visual style of the film. All in all "Irreversible" is a dark and grim film of love, terror, tragedy and revenge. Not for the faint of heart, but rewarding for viewers looking for something challenging.
Director Gaspar Noe has a brave unflinching artistic yet realistic directorial style, and this movie is his best since "Mysterious Skin". He creates effective visual tension and mood. The acting is all top notch. This film is a low-budget french film, so don't go in expecting glossy Hollywood style filmmaking. Rape is a subject that is usually shied away from as the central idea for a movie, and for good reason. Nobody likes to see such a terrible thing being done to women(aside from rapists themselves), so don't expect to enjoy this film. What the film does offer is a journey into the very heart of those whose lives are destroyed by this kind of horror. The films ending/beginning is as brutal and unflinching as the rape itself, so be prepared for lots of explicit violence, language, and nudity. Watch this film, and allow yourself to feel the rage of Cassells character, as his whole world is destroyed. His character is quickly overcome by his desire for revenge and becomes more and more unhinged as the film progresses/regresses so too does the camera-work and visual style of the film. All in all "Irreversible" is a dark and grim film of love, terror, tragedy and revenge. Not for the faint of heart, but rewarding for viewers looking for something challenging.