kcarver-2

Irréversible is not an easy movie to recommend. Let's just say I do not regret seeing it. It's not much "fun", but it is remarkably filmed (the elegant opening credits alone are worth the trip) and the experience stays with you.

You know how seeing a movie is a little bit like living it? So here the question is: do you want to experience ever so slightly what it's like for someone near and dear to you to be raped and nearly killed? The very question is near-obscene (why would anyone ever want to do that?) and yet I believe it is at the heart of the movie-going (and indeed, aesthetic) experience.

Of course an accessory question is: do I trust this director enough to go through something like that under his guidance and is he truthful and competent enough? I would say yes. Gaspard Noé appears to be a serious, talented and sincere filmmaker, and Irréversible is a deep movie of great artistry.

I saw this movie at the premiere at the Grand Rex Monday night. Not knowing anything about the movie, except that I'd liked Rochant's "Aux yeux du monde", I was impressed. I found it was an intelligent film, with a good soundtrack, comparable with a good old American action movie, (suspense, simple but effective script) but keeping a popular French touch. It has all the elements of a fun shoot'em up movie, with pointed humor and a certain wistful detachment with regard to the (sometimes hard to take) violence. It can be enjoyed by fans of Pulp Fiction, Taxi (stupid but effective French movie) or the Seven Samurai or Ghost Dog.