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| | Salesrank: 234149
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| Used Price: $49.98 |
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MPAA Rating:
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Irreversible begins with the closing credits running backwards before the film begins (or ends) with Marcus (Vincent Cassell) and Pierre (Albert Dupontel) being escorted out of a gay S&M club by the cops, Marcus with his arm broken and Pierre in handcuffs. The "story" proceeds to unwind in a series of single-take scenes that unfold Memento-style, with each scene giving more context to what we have seen previously. Each scenario depicts actions, dialogue, incident, behavior, and circumstances that the lead characters might have wished didn't happen, ranging from extreme violence through awkward social situations to mild embarrassment. The central character (and possible dreamer of this whole what-if story) emerges as Alex (Monica Bellucci), who suffers the worst in a very hard-to-watch rape sequence in an underpass. Semi-improvised, the scenes all have attack and power as themes, with later/earlier conversational sequences that suggest life isn't all sexual assaults in the dark, showing equal cinematic imagination with the horrors. Arguably, this is not a film most would subject themselves to twice, but it is something that stays in the mind for days after viewing, sparking far more ideas and emotions than most wallow-in-nastiness pictures. --Kim Newman
Irréversible Reviews:
Remember Passion of the Christ? 
2009-11-28 - Remember watching the imfamous flogging scene and thinking: "Hmm, this couldv'e been about seven minutes shorter."? That pretty much applies here. Granted, I understand and even applaud Gaspar's decision to expose the ugliness of rape and revenge, but there is a such thing as overstating your case. Make no mistake, this is not PORN. Alex doesn't resist her attacker in the beginning, only to change her mind the middle, and then have a screeching orgasm at the end. No, this is more like OZ. It's brutal, animal and sadistic.
In fact, this movie's first act is so jarring with it's graphic (and in most cases DEVIANT) depictions of sex and violence, it can leave you with a dizzying sense of vertigo. I think that was the idea behind the spinning camera at the beginning; which is another technique that was overdone. I think this was to prepare you for the goings-on in the Rectum nightclub. As if the name itself wasn't an indication!
Now for me, the saving grace of this film is the second half. It's just...wonderfully done. I'm sure by now you've read the many reviews that tells you the film is being shown in reverse order. With that in mind, you have this image of such horrible violence, and yet it's tempered by these three characters that jump out at you. They're not the victims or beserkers that you see at the film's opening. They're just regular thirty-something people out having a night on the town. As the film draws you closer to the end (well, beginning), you almost ALMOST forget what's about to happen.
I was very impressed by the format and storytelling here, and that's the main reason I gave it four stars. I've never seen this done before, and was surprised at how well it worked. I don't think this was an exploitation peice (although it really did straddle the fence there). I think it was just three good people that suffered a horrible misfortune and reacted to it in a very believable way. I think it's important enough for a single viewing, but I wouldn't recommend it for your collection. It's REALLY brutal. Enjoy and Be warned.
A Review by Dr. Joseph Suglia
2009-11-06 - IRREVERSIBLE: The traces of other films are indeed perceptible on its canvas. And yet it is absolutely singular, absolutely unlike anything else in the history of cinema.
People go on and on about how "disturbing" this film is. On a mundane level, the film is "disturbing," of course. But I personally found the film just, morally unambiguous, and even beautiful.
It is simultaneously the ugliest and most beautiful of all films.
The film's message is not, as most people claim, that "time destroys all things." This is a painfully banal cliche, and, yes, it is plastered onto the surface of the film as if it were a billboard. The film's reverse order gives the lie to this stupid cliche. We are discussing a film that contradicts its own title: "Irreversible" reverses everything. The film says: yes, time destroys all things, but time itself can be destroyed.
Because the camera swirls around in a disorienting way at the beginning of the film (and at other points, as well, suggesting the reversibility of time), the spectator is initially unaware that the film starts with a scene of brutal vengeance. Nor does one understand, at this point, why this vengeance takes place. This effect of disorientation prevents the spectator from forming a moral judgment and condemning the bloody act of revenge.
The final scene of bliss (the "end" of the film is its chronological beginning) contains such pathos that it is absolutely overpowering: now the spectator finally recognizes (a recognition that comes by way of a feeling) that rape destroys human life. The woman who is raped, Alex (Monica Bellucci) is mourned at the close of the film (against Beethoven's seventh symphony); her assailant, whose violation mirrors her violation, is not.
Marcus is Alex's current lover. Pierre is Alex's former lover, an older man. Pierre shows infinitely more devotion toward Alex than her boyfriend: he is the true spirit of revenge in the film. Marcus, by contrast, is self-absorbed, stupid, and morally weak: out of fear, he is reluctant to avenge the crime committed against his girlfriend.
Does Pierre resent Alex for having chosen another man over him? There is evidence of this in the film.
If you are a man, this film will make you feel ashamed that you are.
In the bedroom scene, Marcus reveals that he is the rapist's double. Watch this scene carefully, and you will see what I mean.
Likewise, Marcus is quite similar to the anonymous passer-by who witnesses the rape in the tunnel (the tunnel is a figure that is used throughout the film) and yet does nothing to prevent it.
Those who run from the theater in horror are just as cowardly as that passer-by.
Dr. Joseph Suglia
unforgettable 
2009-10-25 - This movie is simply unforgettable. Gaspar Noe is not held back the same way American directors are. This movie would never have been made in the US. I only wish I could speak French so I didn't have to take my eyes off the screen to read the subtitles. The Backward time edit is really efective, but takes a few scenes to set in. The fire extinguisher scene is supremely gruesom, very realistic, and horrifyingly disturbing. And not a second of CGI I might add. Monica Belluci is beautiful as always, and gives a terrific performance. The fact that the tunnel scene ( as all others ) is one continuous cut, proves that the director was interested in the utmost realism, and He delivers. Be warned however that this is not a movie for youngsters or someone who would be easily offended, there are scenes of full frontal male nudity, erect penises, and more pelvic thrusts than a Ron Jeremy movie. The first 20 minutes or so have some wild camera work, but it is demonstrating the state of mind for Pierre, and Marcus, and is very effective. Over all a great movie expierence.
Warning!
2009-10-11 - This film is one of the most explicit movies I've ever seen. It is a great movie, but I wouldn't recomend it to the soft hearted. My wife had cried in disgust during a rape seen. Enough said. Great movie, not for kids.
Irreversible it Sucks no matter how hot the chic on the box looks dont buy it.Please I am saving you money by telling you this . 
2009-09-30 - I watched this movie and it was a real stinker.At the being I was dizzy because the camera guy was [...]with the camera moving it around like he was tripping on acid or something, a guys girlfriend gets her "[...]and raped and then the boyfriend and a friend go looking for the guy who did it and smash his [...]head in and kill him. The only thing good is the the Cover of this so called movie.
