Irreversible (4)

(Watch the trailer)

2002 French drama/crime/in my opinion horror film by Gaspar Noé.

One night in Paris begins in reverse-chronological order back to the beginnings of this traumatic tale about one women and many decisions that out her face to face with the worst nightmare you cannot even imagine.

This is one of the most traumatic films I have ever seen. I am usually that one who laughs during horror films or eats spaghetti during the slasher type movies...because it's not really real. I look at it as effects...

This movie was not like that. At all. Oh my God, I wish it were. I felt actually nauseous by the time this movie was over. The whole thing is like one long anxiety attack. At points I had to close my eyes but at the same time couldn't look away, which is weird and twisted, but it just...it's so awful that you cannot help but watch.

I know that sounds weird but, as soon as I heard about this movie over a year ago I knew I had to watch it. My film friend explained it to me something like this: it would be the worst movie I would ever watch, I would have nightmares, it's so real that you will feel sick and will never forget it. It's the most realistic rape scene in any movie ever.

...of course, stupid me had to see what she meant.

She was right.

At first I was distracted by the way Gaspar Noé used the camera. There was a lot of spinning and things out of focus and just colours and odd close ups that made my head hurt. Now, having watched it, that was brilliant. It's annoying until you realize how emotionally invested you are within the first 10 minutes...you and the film are one and the same. You are along for the ride and you don't really have a choice. It's spinning and everywhere but the closer it gets to the climax, the more stationary it becomes and finally, in one continuous scene, the rape scene, takes place. Never once does the camera stop or move...just, bam. Then it starts spinning again. Brilliant. Brilliant.

All and every performance was beyond amazing. Especially the woman who played Alex, Monica Bellucci. How she did that...oh man. Vincent Cassel who played her boyfriend Marcus I have always liked when I saw him. He was fantastic in Black Swan and in Eastern Promises.

Like I said, this is a very real film. Almost too real. The rape scene is a rape scene. They don't hold back...this movie will change you. You will never forget it. It is, in a weird round about way, one of the best movies I have ever seen.

Caution, but if you can handle it, watch it.

4/5

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