neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Irréversible
	Gaspar Noé Monica Bellucci, Vincent Cassel, Albert Dupontel 2002		Unforgettable and controversial, "Irréversible" — a film from French writer/director Gaspar Noé ("I Stand Alone") — is hardcore, hard to take, hard to dismiss and hard to stop watching. It's a sordid tale of rape, murder, revenge, love destroyed, and the weight of choices, major or insignificant. The movie unreels in short bursts and reverse order, like Harold Pinter's "Betrayal" and Christopher Nolan's "Memento," shot from a swirling, dizzying perspective to a pounding electrobeat score. A terrifying rape and a shocking murder, graphic but crucial to the film, are two of the rare times when the camera lingers or is relatively still. A fairly happy couple, played by real-life husband-and-wife Vincent Cassel ("Brotherhood of the Wolf") and Monica Bellucci ("Malena"), go to a Parisian party along with her ex-boyfriend (Albert Dupontel). While in good spirits, the trio works through interpersonal anxieties on the way to the soiree. When stress arises later in the evening, circumstances lead to violence and tragedy. "Irréversible" is sure to be abhorred in some quarters, but it's dangerous, shattering, effective stuff and not for the weak of stomach.