Irreversible Review
by Steve Rhodes (Steve DOT Rhodes AT InternetReviews DOT com)March 7th, 2003
IRRÉVERSIBLE
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2003 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): 1/2
IRRÉVERSIBLE makes pure pornography look pretty appealing in comparison. It's the type of picture that will have critics applauding and audiences gagging. With two of the most horrific scenes in cinematic history, it's not a movie that one is likely to forget, which isn't a good thing.
The movie starts off -- the minimal story unfolds in reverse, not that you'll care -- with a long episode at a gay sex club that ends in a guy having his skull completely bashed in by a fire extinguisher. We watch as his face is torn away, and bones begin to show through. For the twenty minutes or so up until that point the camera is in hyper-fast, constant motion, twirling upside down and around and around, as red strobe lights flash. It is like an E-ticket ride to an X-rated movie. If you get dizzy and start vomiting, don't say I didn't warn you. The movie is actually unrated, but, if it were, they might have to develop a new category for it. NC-17 or X seems way too mild.
The movie's "big" scene occurs when Alex (Monica Bellucci, TEARS OF THE SUN), is anally raped. The scene lasts for about five very long minutes with almost no editing or camera movement. With a knife at her throat, she cries throughout the entire ordeal. You may feel like running out of the theater in tears. Do not resist that urge! Nothing in this sleazy film is worthwhile. About the only thing positive one could say about it is that it doesn't pull its punches.
IRRÉVERSIBLE runs 1:35. The film is in French with English subtitles. It is not rated but would be NC-17 for graphic violence, including rape.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, March 14, 2003. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the Camera Cinemas.
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Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
