Funny Games
One movie I saw today was the Americna remake of Michael Haneke's 1997 home invasion thriller Funny Games. Like i said in my last review these two movies are my first impression of Haneke and In my opinion this version is way better than the original. Now I know the general consensus of this film, especially when keeping in mind the surrounding demographic who have viewed it when it first released absolutely hate it, and compared to the original the reviews are pretty subpar, but I think if people who first saw it should give it a second try with a more open perspective.
You see when the remake first debuting at a film festival a lot of audience members hated it, some even walking out during the movie, and I can understand why they felt that way, but if you look at through a different lenses abd try to really direct what it's trying to say, you might find yourself enjoying it more. Now of course I understand that this type of film isn't for anyone, I can't definately comprehend people not being able yo enjoy even after a second watch. The movie is meant to make you feel intense misery, there are so many movies out there where people can look at the violence shown on screen and not even be fazed by it. Some might even find morbid enjoyment from it, but where this movie differs is that there's no hope or any room for happiness, this story intends to make you miserable and in they did a fantastic job. Most people might say this was just a massive middle finger to the audience, and I would say you are right, there's a sense of frustration here both in the tone and the feeling you get from watching it that says "there is no light in the tunnel, this is it, and it's your choice whether or not you want to continue" and I absolutely love that. The very idea of film that challengesthe status quo and so vehemently confident in it's messaging. People view films on their surface level so much that we can't conceptualize the idea of something we might go to for escapism confronting us for soemthing that we've normalized amd became so dissensitized to. It's ingenious and I love how uncompromising it is, I don't love this movie because of how violent and brutal it is, I love it because it has something to say and it refuses to deter from it. I could go on and on about the messaging, themes, and intent, but I won't do that. People should come out of it with their own interpretations and feelings, and I believe Haneke wants that, he wants us to discuss art, and he wants us to learn from what we digest from it.
Now for what I liked and didn't like. No joke I still live everything I liked from the original and then some. All of the things I praised in the last film are enhanced, and everything I didn't like if fixed. The acting's better, the music is still great, the directing is great, the cinematography is great, and the child acting is massively improved. While the originals felt held back and weak at times, thia one feels raw and realistic, and thus the tense scenes involving the child is more engaging. Another thing I liked better was the ending shot, while the original shot just kinda lingers there for a bit too long, the remake cuts it a bit shorter, and actually plays the credits on the bottom of the screne making the shot less goofy and more menacing. This also has to do with Michael Pitt's facility expression, he was perfectly casted for this character, I don't really know which one I prefer compared to Arno Frisch's depiction but they both suited their roles amazingly for their respective versions. Also I absolutely love Brady Corbet's rendition of Peter, I also had no problem with Frank Giering's depiction of the character, but the way he carries himself, really changes the dynamic between Peter and Paul from the original. It makes it a little more unique and fun, and I like they didn't exactly copy Frisch and Giering. The only thing I didn't like in this remake is that in the scene where Peter gets shot Paul gets up and screams "look out" after Peter's body had already slid down on the floor. The way it's cut together felt super weird and kind of felt amateurish. It's just one of those scenes that feel out of place especially in a movie so well made. I do kinda like how he sort of chuckled at the sight of Peter's bloody body, it really shows how depraved and far removed Paul is from his humanity. It
Most films that I've given a positive review so far has left me with a feeling of exciting or glee, just purely based on how fun and enjoyable the movie was for me, but this movie is different, this first highly rated movie I've logged on this app that left me not feeling any sort of positive emotion. Just a hole of emptiness from the absolute sense of dread this movie leaves you in. This goes for the original and the remake. Such ab amazingly made film and one I'll never forget.
10/10