Funny Games

Starring: Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, Michael Pitt, Brady Corbet
Directed by: Michael Haneke
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Horror
2008

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Two mysterious young men (Michael Pitt, Brady Corbet) invade the home of a family and hold the father (Tim Roth) and wife (Naomi Watts) hostage as they torture the family and threaten to kill them all.

Review:
Tim: This is a very unique and different movie (I say that well aware that this is a very close facsimile of the original film). Still, this film will undoubtedly either amaze audiences or frustrate them. I'd guess that the majority of audiences felt frustration. I, however, fell into the opposite camp. I understood exactly what the producers and the film was trying to accomplish (I admit I read some info online about it to figure it out). Still, it is brilliant. This isn't a movie trying to entertain or tell a powerful story. This is a movie designed to turn the tables on the audience, to frustrate them, and make them take a long, hard look at themselves as movie viewers. This is where the movie works its magic- it is a commentary on contemporary audiences and our fascination with violence and evil. For that reason, I loved this movie.

Now, to be fair, I also disliked this movie. I disliked it (partially because that was the goal) and partially because of how gimmicky the film felt at times. While I can see both sides of the issue, I liked more of the film that I disliked.

While the movie works extremely well as a commentary on today's movie going audiences, it also works for most of the movie as a fairly good thriller. We have the typical home invasion plot, but the movie is relentless in its portrayal of our villains. They are intelligent, creepy, and merciless.

Some of the film's success is owed to Tim Roth and Naomi Watts. They did a very good job of making their characters believable, and the terror they experienced real. Michael Pitt was absolutely insane in his reserved, psychopathic role. He accounts for many of the film's most chilling moments.

The movie's big twist comes with the remote control scene. I'd be willing to bet most people were completely turned off to the film at this moment. Instead, I saw it as a brilliant moment. The scene is so frustrating, feels unfair, wrong, and immediately, we get angry at the film and the producers. This is the moment that works when we take a good look at ourselves and ask some fairly deep questions- why does this scene infuriate us? What does this say about our ideas of right and wrong, and what is fair?

Funny Games isn't a great movie. It is flawed, and the gimmicky twist only accounts for so much. Yes, the film has moments of brilliance, but those brilliant moments can also be seen as worthless wastes of time. I can't think of another movie that would split audiences as much as this one. While I bought into the film's goals, I can't wholeheartedly throw myself behind this film.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Panic Room, The Ring, Mulholland Dr.