Funny Games
Shall we begin?
In this provocative and brutal thriller, a vacationing family (Oscar nominees Naomi Watts and Tim Roth) gets an unexpected visit from two deeply disturbed young men (Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet). Their idyllic holiday turns nightmarish as they are subjected to unimaginable terrors and struggle to stay alive.
Written and Directed by Michael Haneke (Caché), Funny Games is a remake of his own acclaimed 1997 film.
Member Reviews
Games of Meh - marctaro
So, by now this is a fairly old film. Perhaps I have become that much more jaded in the time since it was made. BUT. If the point is to create a shocking experience that completely disorients the audience - which seems to be the only goal of the film - then Funny Games falls short for me.
It's just not all that disturbing really.
There is a great deal of implied violence. Perhaps implication is not enough for the post-hostel/saw/irreversible viewer.
The nice victim family are simply straw characters. They have such thin personalities, it's hard to feel much for them. We're not given sufficient character-development-screen-time to bond with them - so their fate isn't weighty enough.
If on the other hand they are mean to be 'us' - and we are to feel that the 'bad things' are happening to us...well that just doesn't work for me either. They simply don't do anything that I can imagine doing when confronted with this kind stress. It's like they couldn't have survived life anyway! They fold so quickly in the face of adversity.
Perhaps they can't be blamed for falling apart. Perhaps they are just 'sheltered fragile people'. Perhaps that's the directors point. To that I say this: A great film about a boring person would not be a boring film. These people don't even collapse well under pressure.Thoroughly Enjoyed - c4th
I’ve encountered people with a bit of Peter and Paul in them. They use societal niceties for their own sadistic pleasure of exercising a sense of control or to somehow deflect attention from their own rudeness or insincerity. There are even times when they manage to push your buttons to the point that you want to react as George did when he slapped Paul in the face. Director Michael Haneke does a marvellous job of painting extreme caricatures of such people as a psychotic duo. Fine performances from Michael Pit as Paul the leader and Brady Corbet as the follower Peter are instrumental in the depiction.
The encounter we observe in the vacation home is frightening. George (Tim Roth) and Ann (Naomi Watts) must choose a course of action with life or death consequence. Their son (Devon Gearhart) is terrified at the thought of atrocities he might be forced to observe.
Haneke inserts a number of oddities in filming technique to create mood and emphasize his intended messages. His best comes at the very beginning when the opening credits begin with a sudden burst of heavy metal music brilliantly paralleling the intrusive nature of a home invasion. Comments pointing at our love affair with violence in the media come through effectively in asides to the listeners and I appreciated teaser scenes temporarily "promising” a more formulistic storyline. The rewind scene, on the other hand, I thought was just plain dumb no matter how you perceive its purpose. Some express disappointment in the ending. Although I agree it was somewhat predictable, as it approached anyway, in this case I didn’t mind that. It seemed the one that most appropriately fits the message.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. If you like horror or thriller movies and you recognize Peter and Paul in someone from your past, you probably will as well.Shockingly and disturbing horror movie - moviemonger
After watching many trailers of this very odd horror flick, “Funny Games” I decided to rent it. After watching this movie I was left in a state of shock. I wish I could say that this movie’s content and climax would leave us the viewer with appreciation and hope unfortunately that’s not the case in Michael Haneke’s 1997 directorial debut and 2006 remake of “Funny Games.” Funny Games” is a shockingly disturbing horror flick that reminds us of how careless we are when it comes to our own safety. Funny Games” is a shockingly and disturbing horror movie that keeps the viewer on their edge of their seats with suspense and surprises. “Funny Games” offers a well written script, excellent direction from Michael Haneke and very good acting from the cast, making this movie plausible and realistic. "Funny Games" is a movie that boldly portray eerie elements of the unconscious, and a disregard for human life along with the demonic diabolical minds of human beings. This movie is very convincing and filled with intrigue. It is a movie that’s so well crafted and well conspired that it will scare the hell out you. "Funny Games" is a must see if you have a taste for horror.
Member Reviews
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Games of Meh - marctaro
So, by now this is a fairly old film. Perhaps I have become that much more jaded in the time since it was made. BUT. If the point is to create a shocking experience that completely disorients the audience - which seems to be the only goal of the film - then ...Thoroughly Enjoyed - c4th
I’ve encountered people with a bit of Peter and Paul in them. They use societal niceties for their own sadistic pleasure of exercising a sense of control or to somehow deflect attention from their own rudeness or insincerity. There are even times when they ...Shockingly and disturbing horror movie - moviemonger
After watching many trailers of this very odd horror flick, “Funny Games” I decided to rent it. After watching this movie I was left in a state of shock. I wish I could say that this movie’s content and climax would leave us the viewer with appreciation and ...