Funny Games
Dir: Michael Haneke
1997
*****
Funny Games is a terrifying film and somewhat of a poke in the eye and a two fingered salute to Hollywood. Funny Games is not a particularly original story, that's kind of the point, it's been done many a time before but not quite like this. The beginning sequence music (the only part of the film with music) suggests that there is a much darker side to this film but you have no idea how dark it really is going to get. This is pure horror but this isn't a horror film in the sense that it's all blood and guts, you actually never see any of the violence, Peter and Paul are actually more frightening when you don't see them. It's really questioning how far is too far, both as a film and also as a society. We all know there are some real sick people out there, there are some real sick films out there too, Haneke is suggesting that the media should take some responsibility for this. A bit contradictory? That's where it gets clever, the interaction with the audience from one of the bad guys shouldn't have worked but it does, and quite brilliantly at that. For example, Paul says the line "We're not up to feature film length yet" at exactly the 95-minute mark of the movie. He also rewinds the film when the film starts to go down a familiar 'Hollywood' style road and continues the film with even more cruelty and brutality. Often awkward to watch but at the same time technically brilliant (not many directors film 10 minute takes). Funny Games is a breath of fresh air and a kick in the ass to modern cinema. My kind of film. I suggest those of you interested should watch this one first before the remake!