Irreversible

Advantages: Acting, visual styles, odd narrative spin that actually works.
Disadvantages: Not enjoyable viewing, slightly brutal at times.

...I think that I've become entirely de-sensitised to what can be seen on film. It seems that no matter how violent, how explicit, or how shocking the language is, nothing seems to really bother me. The only time I become shocked by a film is when it does something unique, or some odd narrative style or something similar that I haven't seen before. The content itself never actually bothers me. Going into Irreversible then, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. It's the kind of film that the Daily Mail would probably have banned in a second if they were given the chance. It is, according to Newsweek, the most walked out of film ever. After reading about it's brutality, I thought I may have found something that could get to me. This wasn't the case though, and I ended up watching Irreversible much like I would any other film. I...

eddie7sf 01.01.1970 · Read review
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Review of Irreversible (DVD)

Irreversible - once you have watched it you'll never forget it

Advantages: Incredible use of light and sound
Disadvantages: Deeply distressing

...Running backwards, Irreversible is the story of 3 friends whose lives are changed forever by the events of one intense evening. Alex (played by Monica Belluci) is brutally beaten and raped in an underpass on her way home from a house party in Paris. This leads her boyfriend, Marcus (Vincent Cassel) and ex-partner Pierre (Albert Dupontel) to seek revenge on the man who has committed this terrible act. As the film continues, the viewer is given an insight into the events leading to this tragedy and the relationship between the 3 main characters. If you are squeamish or uncomfortable with violence, do not watch this film. Having watched it once, I do not intend to watch it ever again. The rape scene is incredibly brutal and graphic and is difficult to forget as are some of the other scenes of extreme violence in this film. The distorted...

jesperado77 01.01.1970 · Read review
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Review of Irreversible (DVD)

Irreversible-A nightmarish film

Advantages: Advantages Shocking, original, thought-provoking
Disadvantages: Disadvantages 10 minute sodomy scene-Anyone?

...Irreversible is a very clever and and thought-provoking film with clearly very aspect of the film clverly utilised to convey the director's message and opinions quie clearly. The title screen has a rather bizzare theme song, the music was speically composed to jar and jangle at the ear, regardless of how long you listen to it not once will come into some semblence of harmony. Nor indeed, will you be able to overcome the awful feeling of dizziness that will be induced by listening to it. The film sees the two male character Francois and Antoine looking for the man who has just raped Francois' wife, and the very beginning of the film sees him running around in a very chaotic fashion looking for this man and then proceeding to beat his head in with a fire extinguisher. I tell you this not to spoil the plot, but to make it absolutly clear...

Boothegoose 01.01.1970 · Read review
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Review of Irreversible (DVD)