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Irreversible (2002)

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Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

Irreversible pitches you straight into the abyss, revealing Cassel pounded to a pulp and his assailant's head staved in with a fire extinguisher; then it swivels into the past, negotiating the real-time agony of Bellucci being raped in an underpass, regressing ever backwards into the chaste light of earlier that day. Rest assured it all ends happily ever before. The title doesn't merely toy with the idea of undoing time, corruption, ruin and such shackles; it also brandishes the suggestion that the film itself poses a cinematic breach, a taboo-torching dereliction of no return. That's an exaggeration, of course, but there's no denying Noé's investment in the shock strategy of extreme realism, nor his virtuosity in the practice. Yet is it any more reprehensible a display than the similarly immersive opening of, say, Saving Private Ryan? And isn't Noé's implacably knowing, twisted relationship with his audience comparable to a more adolescent, swaggering Michael Haneke? You could choke on this nut. Morally banal, technically prodigal and dramatically packed with cheap ironies Irreversible may be, but, polemically at least, it's a tour de force.

Author: NB

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

SJS said...

Posted on Nov 29 2009 18:09 Its impossible not to be shocked and stunned by the depravity of man as depicted in this film. One supposes such deviant behaviours do take place but do we need such terribly graphic and inexplicably extended reminders that seem to go endlessly on and on? But then if they had cut down the length of the gory stuff what else would they have shown in the movie? Which brings me to the question why did we have to see it? I realy do not know what the movie did for me that was worthwhile although my brother insisted on my watching it. He was sure I would not be horrified which at least tells you that I am not queamish for he has been my brother for half a century.

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sexbeergolf said...

Posted on Apr 20 2008 19:37 Reminds us that it is still possible to be awed by the power of film.
Though irreversible is by no means an entertaining watch, its nice to be shocked and disgusted, if only to remind you that you still can be.

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