Day 134: "There are no bad deeds, just deeds."

I never really appreciated what an enormous pain in the ass this blog was going to be.  I have hit a serious wall and I hope to get through it soon, because this is really testing my resolve.  End of rant.  Tonight's movie: the French film Irreversible. Let me start by saying that this movie redefines "effed" up.  The only other film I would put into the same category as Irreversible is A Serbian Film.  Seriously, this movie is that far off the charts in terms of raw violence, shock value, and disturbing content.  At its basest, this is a revenge film; put together in reverse order of events, similar to Christopher Nolan's Memento, it follows the story of two men attempting to avenge the brutal rape of their girlfriend (one man is the ex-boyfreind).  That's essentially it.  Nothing fancy or even redeeming about this.  When it comes to graphic violence on-screen, I thought I was as hardened and numb to it as is possible to be.  Nope, not even close.  This is one of only two movies I have ever seen where I had to take a break to just step away.  Unfortunately, the story isn't the only brutality on the screen.  Director Gaspar Noe has apparently learned everything he knows about shooting a movie by watching The Blair Witch Project.  I understand using camera motion to convey the anger and discord of the men seeking revenge, but for the love of all that is holy, GET A STEADICAM!!  the first twnty minutes of this is almost unwatchable without getting motion sickness.

My main motivation for choosing Irreversible was the name of the primary star listed: Monica Bellucci.  Big fan.  Had I known ahead of time what I was going to be seeing, I probably would have picked something else.  She was amazing, just in the "look away from the screen" kind of way.  It was REALLY hard to see her in this, but, DAMN, what an actress.  Vincent Cassel is her overly violent avenging angel, again very difficult to watch him going absolutely feral at times.

This is NOT a film for the kids.  Graphic scenes of murder, torture, and rape run throughout this film.  Not for those looking for an enjoyable night in front of the TV, either.  I watched this only hoping for something to redeem the time I invested watching it, but, unfortunately, I found none save the grittiness and raw emotion portrayed by the cast.  Beyond torture porn, Irreversible is one best avoided...unless you're in the mood to be visually assaulted.  I need a shower.....1.5/10.

See you tomorrow, and GO WATCH A MOVIE!!