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$2.50 Reviews:
Irréversible
http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/poster58.jpg
.you for film a is Irréversible not or whether learned you've hopefully and ,congratulations well ,are you If .else something watching about think to want might you then ,this of all read to enough dedicated not you're If .everyone for film a not is it that reinforce must I ,again once ,But .together put was it way the to thanks interesting ,least very the at ,is that film important an it's but ,people most even or ,everyone for film a not definitely It's .points of couple a during eyes your cover to need you if even ,it watching stop to tough It's .saw just you ones the to led events what see to want you'll ,begins it once and ,weight emotional carry does It .watch a worth is Irréversible that believe do I ,aside Everything
[Img_Inline width="275" height="177" Caption="There aren't a lot of pictures I can show." Align="left"]http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/up-irr10.jpg[/Img_Inline]
.doing worth be to fun of devoid too experience an be might it but ,(way a in ,itself of and in reward a is which ,devastating or) ,rewarding emotionally more be would it think I .later again returns curiosity the but ,again it watch to order in through myself put to have I'd what remember I when dispelled quickly are thoughts These .it re-watch to decided I if upon improved be would what and ,missed I what ponder I and ,product finished the seen already having without sense complete make don't film the of scenes first The .viewing second a about thinking when me to comes that curiosity of bit a there's ,said that With
.that do to want would anyone why sure not I'm and ,once than more it watching involve would that because ,not maybe Or .chronological it made and Irréversible re-edited has there out someone sure I'm although ,sure not I'm ?interesting be it would ,chronologically transpired day the of events the then and ,bed in film the off started couple the If .happened actually events the how told if work still would it if wonder I ,fashion non-linear a in told are that films most with Like
.mind and eyes the on hard as just be still would content their as ,are scenes the long how of regardless watch should audience general a that movie a isn't this maybe ,again then but ,people more for watchable film the made possibly have would It .endure to audience the for easier it made (maybe) have would and ,time shorter far a in made been easily have could examples these in made points The .scene extinguisher fire the in shown violence the in or ,life sex their about just minutes 10+ for train a on talk characters that fact the ,rape aforementioned the be it whether ,excess in deals that film a is Irréversible
[Img_Inline width="275" height="159" Caption="Here's another." Align="right"]http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/irreve10.jpg[/Img_Inline]
.enjoy can you something always wasn't show to used was it what when even ,seeing appreciated I that technique a it's and ,there still is cuts without was film entire the that illusion the ,Regardless .human still they're but ,here people talented with dealing We're .take entire an through get to actors the for impossible nearly be would it that long so for on go they because ,well as scenes the during were there that sure I'm And .not or cut a was there if tell to impossible nearly be would it ,example for ,around spins camera the When .tricks cheap with hidden been have they but ,were there positive almost I'm .cuts traditional no are there that earlier mentioned I
.it watched I when used was button fast-forward the that admitting with fine perfectly I'm and ,it see to want don't you ,No .imagine you'd as bad as just probably it's and ,included is scene rape nine-minute that ,yes And .scene opening film's the after happens that nothing but ,day the of portions earlier the over happens what see We .here from backwards going only we're because ,retribution to come they as far as about is nightclub the in happens whatever But .rapist the kill go to going they're and ,raped been has friends their of One :illegal if ,noble fairly and simple is goal Their
[Img_Inline width="275" height="177" Caption="Has this been fun?" Align="left"]http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/irreve11.jpg[/Img_Inline]
.club the locate to trying Pierre and Marcus with ,outside we're and ,again around spins camera the then and ,extinguisher fire a with death to beaten is man a ,happens Something .there help much get don't they although ,"Tenia le" named man a for looking They're .do to wish I something not is ,name its mentioning even or ,club this inside on goes what describing because ,will you what for that Take .inside men allows only that nightclub a entering men two the see we and ,bit a for around spins camera the then And .cuffed being is (Dupontel Albert) Pierre why or ,why point this at unsure we're although ,(Cassel Vincent) Marcus is ambulance the to way his On .handcuffed is another while ,stretcher a on away dragged being man a with opens film The
.about is Irréversible what you tell to try me let ,Well ?else Something ?this handle to enough strong-willed you're if see to want just you do Or ?curiosity it is ,Again .freedom her for struggle woman a watch we as ,period entire the for people two the on focused stays camera the which in scene rape long minute nine a is there that heard previously you have Or ?you intrigue cuts standard no are there that saying me Did ?me like ,curiosity Simple ?why ,well ,this like something watch to want do who you of those For
.warned been You've .head your in images sick with you leave will and repulsive is it because ,film this watch to want not will people most ,said I Like .is ,shown be can that Everything .film this in all at cuts standard no are there ,fact In .sight clear in things two these showing from away shy not does camera the and ,killing brutal a and rape features It .times at ,through sit to difficult incredibly is that one It's .see to want will people most that film a not is Irréversible
Irréversible: The Easy-To-Read Edition
http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/poster58.jpg
Irréversible is not a film that most people will want to see. It's one that is incredibly difficult to sit through, at times. It features rape and a brutal killing, and the camera does not shy away from showing these two things in clear sight. In fact, there are no standard cuts at all in this film. Everything that can be shown, is. Like I said, most people will not want to watch this film, because it is repulsive and will leave you with sick images in your head. You've been warned.
[Img_Inline width="275" height="177" Caption="There aren't a lot of pictures I can show." Align="left"]http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/up-irr10.jpg[/Img_Inline]
For those of you who do want to watch something like this, well, why? Simple curiosity, like me? Did me saying that there are no standard cuts intrigue you? Or have you previously heard that there is a nine minute long rape scene in which the camera stays focused on the two people for the entire period, as we watch a woman struggle for her freedom. Again, is it curiosity? Or do you just want to see if you're strong-willed enough to handle this? Something else? Well, let me try to tell you what Irréversible is about.
The film opens with a man being dragged away on a stretcher, while another is handcuffed. On his way to the ambulance is Marcus (Vincent Cassel), although we're unsure at this point why, or why Pierre (Albert Dupontel) is being cuffed. And then the camera spins around for a bit, and we see the two men entering a nightclub that only allows men inside. Take that for what you will, because describing what goes on inside this club, or even mentioning its name, is not something I wish to do. They're looking for a man named "le Tenia", although they don't get much help there. Something happens, a man is beaten to death with a fire extinguisher, and then the camera spins around again, and we're outside, with Marcus and Pierre trying to locate the club.
Their goal is simple and fairly noble, if illegal: One of their friends has been raped, and they're going to go kill the rapist. But whatever happens in the nightclub is about as far as they come to retribution, because we're only going backwards from here. We see what happens over the earlier portions of the day, but nothing that happens after the film's opening scene. And yes, that nine-minute rape scene is included, and it's probably just as bad as you'd imagine. No, you don't want to see it, and I'm perfectly fine with admitting that the fast-forward button was used when I watched it.
[Img_Inline width="275" height="159" Caption="Here's another." Align="right"]http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/irreve10.jpg[/Img_Inline]
I mentioned earlier that there are no traditional cuts. I'm almost positive there were, but they have been hidden with cheap tricks. When the camera spins around, for example, it would be nearly impossible to tell if there was a cut or not. And I'm sure that there were during the scenes as well, because they go on for so long that it would be nearly impossible for the actors to get through an entire take. We're dealing with talented people here, but they're still human. Regardless, the illusion that the entire film was without cuts is still there, and it's a technique that I appreciated seeing, even when what it was used to show wasn't always something you can enjoy.
Irréversible is a film that deals in excess, whether it be the aforementioned rape, the fact that characters talk on a train for 10+ minutes just about their sex life, or in the violence shown in the fire extinguisher scene. The points made in these examples could have easily been made in a far shorter time, and would have (maybe) made it easier for the audience to endure. It would have possibly made the film watchable for more people, but then again, maybe this isn't a movie that a general audience should watch regardless of how long the scenes are, as their content would still be just as hard on the eyes and mind.
[Img_Inline width="275" height="177" Caption="Lazy people!" Align="left"]http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/irreve11.jpg[/Img_Inline]
Like with most films that are told in a non-linear fashion, I wonder if it would still work if told how the events actually happened. If the couple started off the film in bed, and then the events of the day transpired chronologically, would it be interesting? I'm not sure, although I'm sure someone out there has re-edited Irréversible and made it chronological. Or maybe not, because that would involve watching it more than once, and I'm not sure why anyone would want to do that.
With that said, there's a bit of curiosity that comes to me when thinking about a second viewing. The first scenes of the film don't make complete sense without having already seen the finished product, and I ponder what I missed, and what would be improved upon if I decided to re-watch it. These thoughts are quickly dispelled when I remember what I'd have to put myself through in order to watch it again, but the curiosity returns again later. I think it would be more emotionally rewarding, (or devastating, which is a reward in and of itself, in a way), but it might be an experience too devoid of fun to be worth doing.
Everything aside, I do believe that Irréversible is worth a watch. It does carry emotional weight, and once it begins, you'll want to see what events led to the ones you just saw. It's tough to stop watching it, even if you need to cover your eyes during a couple of points. It's definitely not a film for everyone, or even most people, but it's an important film that is, at the very least, interesting thanks to the way it was put together. But, once again, I must reinforce that it is not a film for everyone.
<color=D6D9DA>_________________________________________________________________________________
If you are a fan of my reviews, and want to boost my ego receive notifications when new reviews are posted, or find an old review, please join/visit this <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/2-50-Reviews>user group.
$2.50 Reviews:
Irréversible
http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/poster58.jpg
.you for film a is Irréversible not or whether learned you've hopefully and ,congratulations well ,are you If .else something watching about think to want might you then ,this of all read to enough dedicated not you're If .everyone for film a not is it that reinforce must I ,again once ,But .together put was it way the to thanks interesting ,least very the at ,is that film important an it's but ,people most even or ,everyone for film a not definitely It's .points of couple a during eyes your cover to need you if even ,it watching stop to tough It's .saw just you ones the to led events what see to want you'll ,begins it once and ,weight emotional carry does It .watch a worth is Irréversible that believe do I ,aside Everything
[Img_Inline width="275" height="177" Caption="There aren't a lot of pictures I can show." Align="left"]http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/up-irr10.jpg[/Img_Inline]
.doing worth be to fun of devoid too experience an be might it but ,(way a in ,itself of and in reward a is which ,devastating or) ,rewarding emotionally more be would it think I .later again returns curiosity the but ,again it watch to order in through myself put to have I'd what remember I when dispelled quickly are thoughts These .it re-watch to decided I if upon improved be would what and ,missed I what ponder I and ,product finished the seen already having without sense complete make don't film the of scenes first The .viewing second a about thinking when me to comes that curiosity of bit a there's ,said that With
.that do to want would anyone why sure not I'm and ,once than more it watching involve would that because ,not maybe Or .chronological it made and Irréversible re-edited has there out someone sure I'm although ,sure not I'm ?interesting be it would ,chronologically transpired day the of events the then and ,bed in film the off started couple the If .happened actually events the how told if work still would it if wonder I ,fashion non-linear a in told are that films most with Like
.mind and eyes the on hard as just be still would content their as ,are scenes the long how of regardless watch should audience general a that movie a isn't this maybe ,again then but ,people more for watchable film the made possibly have would It .endure to audience the for easier it made (maybe) have would and ,time shorter far a in made been easily have could examples these in made points The .scene extinguisher fire the in shown violence the in or ,life sex their about just minutes 10+ for train a on talk characters that fact the ,rape aforementioned the be it whether ,excess in deals that film a is Irréversible
[Img_Inline width="275" height="159" Caption="Here's another." Align="right"]http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/irreve10.jpg[/Img_Inline]
.enjoy can you something always wasn't show to used was it what when even ,seeing appreciated I that technique a it's and ,there still is cuts without was film entire the that illusion the ,Regardless .human still they're but ,here people talented with dealing We're .take entire an through get to actors the for impossible nearly be would it that long so for on go they because ,well as scenes the during were there that sure I'm And .not or cut a was there if tell to impossible nearly be would it ,example for ,around spins camera the When .tricks cheap with hidden been have they but ,were there positive almost I'm .cuts traditional no are there that earlier mentioned I
.it watched I when used was button fast-forward the that admitting with fine perfectly I'm and ,it see to want don't you ,No .imagine you'd as bad as just probably it's and ,included is scene rape nine-minute that ,yes And .scene opening film's the after happens that nothing but ,day the of portions earlier the over happens what see We .here from backwards going only we're because ,retribution to come they as far as about is nightclub the in happens whatever But .rapist the kill go to going they're and ,raped been has friends their of One :illegal if ,noble fairly and simple is goal Their
[Img_Inline width="275" height="177" Caption="Has this been fun?" Align="left"]http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/irreve11.jpg[/Img_Inline]
.club the locate to trying Pierre and Marcus with ,outside we're and ,again around spins camera the then and ,extinguisher fire a with death to beaten is man a ,happens Something .there help much get don't they although ,"Tenia le" named man a for looking They're .do to wish I something not is ,name its mentioning even or ,club this inside on goes what describing because ,will you what for that Take .inside men allows only that nightclub a entering men two the see we and ,bit a for around spins camera the then And .cuffed being is (Dupontel Albert) Pierre why or ,why point this at unsure we're although ,(Cassel Vincent) Marcus is ambulance the to way his On .handcuffed is another while ,stretcher a on away dragged being man a with opens film The
.about is Irréversible what you tell to try me let ,Well ?else Something ?this handle to enough strong-willed you're if see to want just you do Or ?curiosity it is ,Again .freedom her for struggle woman a watch we as ,period entire the for people two the on focused stays camera the which in scene rape long minute nine a is there that heard previously you have Or ?you intrigue cuts standard no are there that saying me Did ?me like ,curiosity Simple ?why ,well ,this like something watch to want do who you of those For
.warned been You've .head your in images sick with you leave will and repulsive is it because ,film this watch to want not will people most ,said I Like .is ,shown be can that Everything .film this in all at cuts standard no are there ,fact In .sight clear in things two these showing from away shy not does camera the and ,killing brutal a and rape features It .times at ,through sit to difficult incredibly is that one It's .see to want will people most that film a not is Irréversible
Irréversible: The Easy-To-Read Edition
http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/poster58.jpg
Irréversible is not a film that most people will want to see. It's one that is incredibly difficult to sit through, at times. It features rape and a brutal killing, and the camera does not shy away from showing these two things in clear sight. In fact, there are no standard cuts at all in this film. Everything that can be shown, is. Like I said, most people will not want to watch this film, because it is repulsive and will leave you with sick images in your head. You've been warned.
[Img_Inline width="275" height="177" Caption="There aren't a lot of pictures I can show." Align="left"]http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/up-irr10.jpg[/Img_Inline]
For those of you who do want to watch something like this, well, why? Simple curiosity, like me? Did me saying that there are no standard cuts intrigue you? Or have you previously heard that there is a nine minute long rape scene in which the camera stays focused on the two people for the entire period, as we watch a woman struggle for her freedom. Again, is it curiosity? Or do you just want to see if you're strong-willed enough to handle this? Something else? Well, let me try to tell you what Irréversible is about.
The film opens with a man being dragged away on a stretcher, while another is handcuffed. On his way to the ambulance is Marcus (Vincent Cassel), although we're unsure at this point why, or why Pierre (Albert Dupontel) is being cuffed. And then the camera spins around for a bit, and we see the two men entering a nightclub that only allows men inside. Take that for what you will, because describing what goes on inside this club, or even mentioning its name, is not something I wish to do. They're looking for a man named "le Tenia", although they don't get much help there. Something happens, a man is beaten to death with a fire extinguisher, and then the camera spins around again, and we're outside, with Marcus and Pierre trying to locate the club.
Their goal is simple and fairly noble, if illegal: One of their friends has been raped, and they're going to go kill the rapist. But whatever happens in the nightclub is about as far as they come to retribution, because we're only going backwards from here. We see what happens over the earlier portions of the day, but nothing that happens after the film's opening scene. And yes, that nine-minute rape scene is included, and it's probably just as bad as you'd imagine. No, you don't want to see it, and I'm perfectly fine with admitting that the fast-forward button was used when I watched it.
[Img_Inline width="275" height="159" Caption="Here's another." Align="right"]http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/irreve10.jpg[/Img_Inline]
I mentioned earlier that there are no traditional cuts. I'm almost positive there were, but they have been hidden with cheap tricks. When the camera spins around, for example, it would be nearly impossible to tell if there was a cut or not. And I'm sure that there were during the scenes as well, because they go on for so long that it would be nearly impossible for the actors to get through an entire take. We're dealing with talented people here, but they're still human. Regardless, the illusion that the entire film was without cuts is still there, and it's a technique that I appreciated seeing, even when what it was used to show wasn't always something you can enjoy.
Irréversible is a film that deals in excess, whether it be the aforementioned rape, the fact that characters talk on a train for 10+ minutes just about their sex life, or in the violence shown in the fire extinguisher scene. The points made in these examples could have easily been made in a far shorter time, and would have (maybe) made it easier for the audience to endure. It would have possibly made the film watchable for more people, but then again, maybe this isn't a movie that a general audience should watch regardless of how long the scenes are, as their content would still be just as hard on the eyes and mind.
[Img_Inline width="275" height="177" Caption="Lazy people!" Align="left"]http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/16/09/70/40/irreve11.jpg[/Img_Inline]
Like with most films that are told in a non-linear fashion, I wonder if it would still work if told how the events actually happened. If the couple started off the film in bed, and then the events of the day transpired chronologically, would it be interesting? I'm not sure, although I'm sure someone out there has re-edited Irréversible and made it chronological. Or maybe not, because that would involve watching it more than once, and I'm not sure why anyone would want to do that.
With that said, there's a bit of curiosity that comes to me when thinking about a second viewing. The first scenes of the film don't make complete sense without having already seen the finished product, and I ponder what I missed, and what would be improved upon if I decided to re-watch it. These thoughts are quickly dispelled when I remember what I'd have to put myself through in order to watch it again, but the curiosity returns again later. I think it would be more emotionally rewarding, (or devastating, which is a reward in and of itself, in a way), but it might be an experience too devoid of fun to be worth doing.
Everything aside, I do believe that Irréversible is worth a watch. It does carry emotional weight, and once it begins, you'll want to see what events led to the ones you just saw. It's tough to stop watching it, even if you need to cover your eyes during a couple of points. It's definitely not a film for everyone, or even most people, but it's an important film that is, at the very least, interesting thanks to the way it was put together. But, once again, I must reinforce that it is not a film for everyone.
<color=D6D9DA>_________________________________________________________________________________
If you are a fan of my reviews, and want to boost my ego receive notifications when new reviews are posted, or find an old review, please join/visit this <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/2-50-Reviews>user group.
