Funny Games Review

As my reading audience has come to know me and my topics of writing, I have and always will be known for my horror movie reviews. I don't like to review the films with a broad theatrical release and has had marketing money burning through the executives at their respective production company / film companies pockets. I like to focus on the mid to low budget horror films which push the boundries of the genre be it in a good or bad way. Obviously I have watched my share of clunkers and have reviewed my share as well.

Today I wanted to give a review on the remake of Funny Games. Going into this film, I knew it was a remake yet hadn't bothered seeing the original. I read about the original; a 1997 Australian-language production based in sadism and torture and read that the director portrays his violence and torture in a much different fashion, not the graphic fashion we have come to expect from such films as Hostel and Captivity etc, but in his own view. The film was directed and produced by Michael Haneke and became a hit over seas. Michael, wanting to appeal to the U.S market, decided to re-shoot / produce his film for a U.S release but also wanted to keep the essence of his Australian predecessor.

One of the good things about this film is that it is actually the same exact movie as in Australia, just with different actors. This isn't really a remake, but a re-shooting and recasting. When I think of a re-shoot, frame by frame production, I think of Psycho and also think...why bother? I actually love foreign movies and don't mind the language barrier as long as the film is actually good. I know some people, my wife being one of them, can't stand foreign films and don't want to have to read subtitles. I say, whatever floats your boat; my boat floats on may different oceans and seas.

Nearly ten years after, Michael Heneke released his "Funny Games" in Austrailia, he brought it across the pond for the U.S. Audience. His film was not given a broad theatric release, probably around 100-150 screens and was actually never shown in any of the theaters in my area; I would have gone to the Cineplex and watched on the big screen if at all possible. Thank God for Netflix.

The Film is set in an undisclosed upper class community, somewhat how I envision the Hamptons, and centers around Anna (Naomi Watts), George (Tim Roth) and Georgie (Devon Gearheart) who is Anna and George's ten-year-old son.

Before I go any further, let me just say that the soundtrack to this film is absolutely perfect. The intro of the movie is based on classical works and then abruptly switches to heavy metal / noise rock which completely throws you off guard. This is what I look at as an omen to how the movie is created, shot and portrayed; simply shocking and awe inspiring.

The atmosphere during the entire movie is unbelievably tense from start to finish and you never know what is going to happen next. Funny Games is essentially a "home invasion" movie but it differs from all the others because the horror, sadism and torture that is endured and dolled out, is basically all off screen. Michael Heneke decided to let the actor's reactions and emotions display the brutality and bleakness of the situation rather than rely on gore and violence.

Basic Plot outline is George, Anna and Georgie arrive at their vacation home and meet two well-dressed and well-mannered young men (Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet) which starts out as a simple request to borrow eggs for dinner and takes you through a look at society through the eyes of the truly insane. If I divulge any more information I would be giving away spoilers, which is something I frown upon.

The acting is brilliant, the reactions of Naomi Watts to her captives and torture are exact if not perfect and the shear madness of Michael Pitt is wonderful. The tension and atmosphere are portrayed as I would expect with an actual home invasion of sociopathic lunatics and the cinematography is amazing.

I watched this with my wife who also enjoyed the film up until a certain point then was completely thrown for a loop, as I was as well. There is one scene that is ridiculous to me and is truly a "what the fuck" moment that, in my opinion, should have been cut from the movie...just didn't make sense. Other than that one scene this movie is nearly perfect. My wife now dislikes the movie because of that one scene and it does take it down a notch in my book because it just plain didn't make sense to me.

Anyway, I do want to recommend this film to anyone looking for a good movie that has been overlooked by the masses that may like torture, sadism, home invasion and watching maniacs. The film is not overly gory as I had stated previously, and the violence isn't over-the-top in any way. This film will leave you thinking about it long after is ends and that is just another reason to love it. Also if you look this film up on Netflix, blockbuster , amazon etc, take a look at the cover art. The cover art is exactly how the movie plays out; a bloody golf club begin held with white gloves, you know something awful happened with that gold club, but you don't know what it is.