The Best Movie You Shouldn't See

What's so Goddamn Funny?
 by Morgan P Salvo

 

Don’t let the title fool you. This movie’s not remotely humorous. In fact it’s about as far removed from a laugh riot as they get .I have warned people not to see this movie. It is one of the most disturbing movies ever made, destined to stay with you for days if not weeks. Inadvertently my pleas of “avoid at all costs!” have sparked curiosity and interest into seeing it. I am glad because people should see this movie.
Ironically, that’s the director’s intention. This is an almost shot-by-shot re-make done by the same director (Haneke) as the thought-provoking, excellent and frightening German original. According to him, the film didn’t receive the wide US audience he wanted. His vision is to exploit the mind-numbing violence that permeates our mainstream films, by making us completely AWARE of what we are watching and feeling .His device is the polar opposite of de-sensitizing—its one of OVER-sensitizing. This movie is a relentless mental overload and will stick with you Just try and shake off the creepiness it invokes upon you…
I am going to try and not give anything away because I feel its very important see this sinister flick raw and new. The overall plot is this: A vacationing couple (Roth, Watts) and their young son (Gearhart) go to an idyllic island community for sailing, rest and relaxation. What they get is bullying torment both physically and psychologically from two ultra nice yuppie creeps wearing white gloves (Pitt, Corbett).
Most violence is done off-screen while either a reaction shot is established or someone is doing something else, even polite. And polite the psychos are--black comedy/twisted humor in-jokes run amuck. They savor and take pride in their work.

This re-make is more darkly lit and oddly the most powerful scene is cut short and shot closer instead of wider making it less engaging whereas the original’s enticing version makes you want to jump into the screen and do something

The acting is impeccable throughout and not without its horrific ramifications. Watts, Roth and Gearhart subject themselves to overdoses of fear, disbelief, anger, pain, anguish, suffering you name it. While the wry and sardonic pair of cat& mouse tormentors play it soft, clean and clever, adding more frustration to the entire fiasco.
The journey the director takes us on is an assault on our feeling, our terrors thru the characters and then even more, he messes with our minds as an audience, daring us to go further into our reasoning for watching .It literally forces you (like a bad accident)not to take your eyes off the pain and suffering, the mind-raping, the nausea and fear you experience alongside the tormented victims. And with a few “out of moment” tricks invites us to even be a part of the movie .Like an invitation at the most vile level. If we (the audience) decide to stay, like the family being tortured by what’s on screen… we get what we deserve.
I highly recommend this movie, even after telling the most fearless and bravest of heart that it might not be for them. It’s definitely not for the emotional squeamish, or those prone to bad dreams after a horror movie .This one might destroy you. Be strong if you go. This is the absolute embodiment of nightmarish. You have been warned.

Funny Games
Starring Tim Roth, Naomi Watts, Devon Gearhart, Michael Pitt, Brady Corbett
Directed by: Michael Haneke
 4 stars