Irreversible (2002)
Review by Jude Felton
There is a scene towards the beginning of Irreversible that is so unflinchingly violent that it really makes you wonder what else is in store for you. Quite simply, I have never seen anything like it, it hurt to watch. This is, believe it or not, soon surpassed by quite possibly one of, if not the, most heinous and brutal rape scene I have ever seen. Shot in a single static take, this scene seems to be never ending, and just when you think it can’t get any worse the camera suddenly springs to life, and it does get worse. This was truly draining cinema that assaults you as you watch it.
The catch with Irreversible, though, is that the entire movie is played out in reverse. Of course, the title may have given that away. So, the opening scene ends the movie and we then follow the events, scene by scene, that lead up to this finale. Don’t be fooled into thinking that this may be a pointless exercise though, as more is revealed the more heartrending the tale becomes.
The story itself follows three friends; Marcus (Vincent Cassel) and Alex (Monica Bellucci), who are lovers, and Alex’s ex-boyfriend Pierrie (Albert Dupontel), and the events of one evening. It is a simple tale, but one that is beautifully crafted and executed. Your initial preconceptions of characters will be shattered, along with your senses, as piece by piece we learn more and more.
Shot in an almost hypnotic style, with swirling camera shots taking in the action from almost impossible angles with a camera that almost never ceases to be in motion, Irreversible is quite the visual extravaganza for this simple type of tale. There is an almost audible beat to the proceedings as we, the viewer, are swept along in this French tale of woe.
A simplistic view of this movie would be to call it just another rape-revenge movie, but to me it was far more than that. This isn’t the shock-bang-wallop, in-your-face type of movie in the way that Baise Moi (review) was. No, this will leave an indelible mark on you, that try as you might you won’t be able to remove. Nothing here is cool or cheap, everything has a reason and writer/director Gasper Noe has crafted a haunting story and brought it to life wonderfully. This, of course, is helped by the excellent cast on display. Both Cassel and Dupontel excel in their roles, Cassel, as always, being a joy to watch. However, it is Bellucci who really shines here, giving an absolutely stunningly brave performance as the ill-fated Alex. The eagle-eyed of you out there may also spot Philippe Nahon (Haute Tension, Calvaire) in a small role.
Irreversible is brutal and depressing viewing with coarse language and horrendous scenes of violence. It is also an incredibly beautiful movie in places too, which makes it all the more painful to watch, especially towards the end of its running time. This movie is one that I wholeheartedly recommend you watch as it is quite fantastic. Be warned though, it is definitely an endurance test and should be approached with caution as it could and should shock you.
Watch the Irreversible trailer:
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