Irreversible (2002)
Reversing time doesn’t heal all wounds.
Presentation:
I don’t think I’ve ever felt this nauseous after watching a film, and I’m not sure if it’s the camera movement or brutality. To be honest, I almost didn’t want to publish this review because I wasn’t sure if I want to promote the film. Gasper Noe makes a nonlinear art film in reverse order of a brutal crime. What makes it so shocking is not only how explicit it is, but how long it goes on for. It’s nothing like the execution of brutality in 12 Years a Slave, it’s perverse, gratuitous and exploitative in a way that could be interpreted as promotion of evil. Just be warned that this is not for the faint of heart. The beginning uses similar techniques as Enter the Void with spinning top down techno-cranes and steadicams to fully immerse us in an omnipotent experience. I actually kinda like how the club scene was done and the use of rotating upside down shots fit the chaos. There are bigger actors starring this time around, but the beginning (or I guess end) performances were over-exaggerated for my tastes. Even for an art film, the story is not really well conceived and its main purpose is primarily shock and provocation.
Conclusion:
I considered giving this 1 chili for how much disgust I felt, but that’s sort of Noe’s point. The auteur makes us hate him for putting such vile and visceral imagery to the screen, and then we begin to wonder if it’s him we hate or the evil he addresses. Such is the case with art films, I guess, but even knowing this and having seen even more depraved films, I regret watching this. An underground director for good reason, watch at your own risk.
Recommendations
Reversing time doesn’t heal all wounds.