Film Review: Irreversible

Director: Gaspar Noe

A 2002 film which absolutely stunned critics when it was released at the Cannes Film Festival, Roger Ebert described it as "a movie so violent and cruel that most people will find it unwatchable." In essence the film has been whittled down to two scenes by many critics which involve a man having his face smashed in with a fire extinguisher twenty-two times without the camera ever cutting away and a nine minute rape scene. The film is also known for being shot in reverse so the thirteen scenes take place in reverse chronological order with us seeing the aftermath of what is about to happen.

Alex (Monica Bellucci)

The film starts with Marcus (Vincent Cassel) being wheeled out of a gay nightclub called the Rectum, his friend Pierre (Albert Dupontel) having been arrested. The next scene then shows them entering the club looking for a man called Le Tenia whom they struggle to find until Marcus is attacked and has his arm broken before Pierre saves him by smashing the guys face in with a fire extinguisher.

The two marquee scenes are brutal and unflinching, at no point does the camera look away in either instance. The foggy haze of the inside of the nightclub along with the continually moving and swirling camera means at first you are totally disorientated and even as it settles down you struggle to comprehend exactly what is happening. The early effects in the nightclub seemed similar to Eraserhead in that your senses were almost being assaulted by the effects on-screen and the constant noise. These first two scenes were absolutely incredible.

Pierre (Albert Dupontel) saves his friend

The rape scene is a difficult watch as nine whole minutes go by where the camera is completely stationary perched on the floor. Again at no point does it cut away so you are left in no doubt as to exactly what is happening which is deeply unsettling. The final act grows weary and tired as we see the group at a party and the backstory of their lives plays out, its the often forgotten act of the film which is unsurprising given that very little of note happens in it. It's a film that leaves its mark on you but as a whole piece it falls short.

2.5/4 Sublime start slowly dies with the audiences soul