Rating: 
Summary: Look in the mirror, pal.
Review: Exploitation-flick that lives up to every nerd's fantasy of rape and psychotic revenge. Is the film horrifying? Yes and no: yes, in that its scenes of violence are staged with sickening realism; no, if you keep in mind what Noe's up to, here. Not since Kubrick's *A Clockwork Orange* has a film tried so hard to pass off its leering, drooling sadism as "art". Wiser heads will see through this nonsense, dismiss it, and move on; others (perhaps I should say "most") will be overwhelmed by *Irreversible* and call it a masterpiece. Aside from the violence -- which is supposed to be good for us ("realistic", and all that) -- it's hard to see why some would think this movie's great. At least *A Clockwork Orange* had Kubrick, who knew how to frame a shot, for Pete's sake. Noe prefers handhelds -- also more "realistic" . . . and dreadfully uncinematic. The movie should've been called *Unwatchable*, because it literally is unwatchable: jiggity-joggity camerawork in the dark. (Though Noe is generous enough to give us good views of the nasty scenes, natch.) And if it rips off *A Clockwork Orange* spiritually, it rips off *Memento* quite literally, with its reverse-order plot. But never mind that. It's the pandering to our basest, most rubbernecking instincts that condemns *Irreversible* to the ashbin of cinematic history. Some have said that this movie "indicts" violence -- bullhockey! If anything is "indicted" by this film, it's the film's own fan club.
Rating: 
Summary: SFX
Review: The more I watch "Irreversible" the more I like it. Just a quick note here, the DVD issued in the states has a glaring omission, the making of the SFX featurette is not viewable, but is currently available for download on the film's U.S. website. The featurette is only 7:13 but provides very deep insight into Gaspar Noe's creativity and explains with dazzling clarity the way the head-bashing was achieved in all it's gruesome glory! While many are still too sensitive to this kind of violence and may find it sickening I say, grow up! It's a brilliant film that will reward any viewer with the guts to watch it all and see it for what it truly is; a modern masterpiece.
Rating: 
Summary: Enter If You Dare.
Review: "Irreversible," the new film from French director Gaspar Noe, is a crude revenge fantasy dressed up as an art-house film. As the movie begins with the ending credits, it tells its sordid story in reverse a la "Memento," and the camera jitters during each scene so nervously, you'll be reaching for your Dramamine within just minutes. Its hero, Marcus (Vincent Cassell), seeks to avenge the savage rape of his girlfriend Alex (the attractive Monica Bellucci), and in so doing, he begins a violent journey that leads him into a sleazy gay club called, of all things, the Rectum. "Irreversible" has quickly gotten a reputation for being one of the most visually graphic movies ever made. Having seen this movie, I can testify that its reputation is well earned. One scene involves a man getting beaten (literally) to a pulp with a fire extinguisher; the beating is so relentless that it's impossible not to squirm even once. But the more unsettling scene involves the nine minute rape of Alex, which has to be the most horrific depiction of violence I've ever witnessed on a screen. While many people reportedly bolted out of theatres during this scene, I saw the whole thing in its entirety. (Then again, your stomach may be not as strong, so think hard before you see this movie.) It's a long and agonizing sequence that leaves almost nothing to imagination, and it's at this point where most people stop watching "Irreversible." But while Noe is a talented stylist with the camera, the script has flaws. Prior to her rape, Alex is not only dressed in a skin-tight dress but also approaches a poorly-lit subway station after dark. I find it hard to believe that most women in the 21st century would use such incredibly poor judgment. Also, the film's subplot involving the club carelessly aligns homosexuality with sleazy behaviour. "Irreversible" is certainly intriguing, but it's pretty tough for me to recommend as a purchase. Who would buy this DVD? Considering its nasty content, this isn't a movie you'll want to watch multiple times. You won't be scanning back and forth to certain chapters to re-watch "favorite" scenes. But if you've got the iron stomach for an ugly thriller done with interesting camerawork, then "Irreversible" might be worth a look--provided you'll be able to keep both eyes open.
Rating:
Summary: Honesty, I think, and thoughtful
Review: I agree with the person below who said they weren't disturbed or horrified by anything in the film. I never once flinched or blinked either. Don't let these rumors of a horrid rape scene detour you from watching this, visually, it's not especially graphic, but emotionally it's difficult, of course.What I found most interesting about the film is how they seemed to compare Alex' boyfriend (Vincent Cassel) with the rapist, right down to the "I wanna **** your ass" line. It makes you wonder why she would choose this womanizing animal over the caring Pierre. She tells him sometimes he can be so gentle. There are moments in the rape scene where we see the rapist be gentle. You have to wonder what the message is. All men are Mephisto I guess, like the man said at the beginning. I disagree with the coupe people who complained the movie encouraged homophobia ect (the scene at the beginning) I think the movie was trying to show through Marcus' hate, ect that he was a bad person. (You didn't see Pierre behaving that way) just like the rapist's hate for women seemed to drive his violence. Really interesting movie, highly recommended if you are not sensitive to the subject matter.
Rating:
Summary: I Don't Know What To Say About This One
Review: I get what the director was trying to do with this film. The cinematography, editing and acting are all top notch. The sense of place is very real and immediate. BUT...This is not entertainment. Art? Maybe. I love a dark/disturbing movie just as much as the next guy/girl. But this film is sick and twisted (the rape scene goes on way too long). Unecessary. We get the point after the first minute or two...I don't know...I guess this is either one of the most daring films to be made in the last few years or one of the worst. Shouldn't a movie be something you want to view again though? This is definitely not one of those movies. If it helps from a critic standpoint I love Blue Velvet, Requiem for a Dream, Heavenly Creatures...But this one is...I don't know.... rent first...Do not buy this without having seen it first.
Rating:
Summary: big-budget big-name horror soft-porn B-movie
Review: I watched this DVD mainly because I had heard about the controversy surrounding the film. But, frankly, controversy is more than this film deserves. As clever as the concept of starting a film at the end and moving backwards can be, it doesn't work here. Told forward, it's a banal story: girl gets raped; boyfriend and ex-boyfriend team up to avenge it. It could have been less banal with a few plot twists, but it isn't. Reversing the unfolding of a story demands a complex plot throughout the film. The background behind the story and the characters had better be complex enough. But here the second half became so boring that I had to fast forward in search of anything for which I could justify watching the DVD. Sadly, despite my best efforts, all I found to keep from turning off the DVD were the nudity (of beautiful Bellucci and Cassel) and its soft-porn quality. Visually, the revenge scene near the opening is unbearably gruesome. The rape scene is equally gut wrenching. Nothing is ever left to the imagination, nothing is suggested: we're forced to watch unwatchable acts. Extreme realism and long uninterrupted camera shots don't necessarily a better film make! Many character depictions are flawed, insulting and unconvincing. The women are dumb objects. The men are angry, self-righteous homo-killers. The homos are S&M masochistic freaks fascinated by the occasional killing. How does showing such abject side of humanity improve the lives of the spectators? It's appalling that Irréversible should have premiered at Cannes in 2002, but it's clear why most of the audience walked out in the first hour: it's just a big-name horror soft-porn B-movie.
Rating:
Summary: incomplete
Review: hey, how do i kill 15 minutes of film time? oh.......i could rotate the camera endlessly to make the first scene unwatchable. "showgirls" is easier on the viewer than this film. the fight and killing is well done and brutally real. however the whole "artistic" (heavy sarcasm) aspect of the first chapter ruins everything to the point of "just let me be done with this thing". i quit this film quicker than the french quit world war II.
Rating:
Summary: WARNING
Review: i reccomend this film for its intelligence. i loved the way the plot is set up and the camera work is terrific. The acting was also impecible.However i do not think this film has enough warning on it about the type of scences the viewers encounters.
DO NOT WATCH THIS FILM IF YOU ARE IN ANYWAY SENSITIVE TO RAPE !! it has posible one of the worst rape scetches i have ever seen. The violence is extremely realistic and i am not a squimish person but i felt physically sick on several occasions. Horrific doesnt even cover it and the infomation on the back i think downplays how brutal the film is.nothing is left to the imagination.if i was going to praise this film for anything it would be how it reveals just how much we fool ourselves into thinking we are civilised creatures and how close to instinct driven predators we really are.
Rating:
Summary: JUST A QUESTION
Review: WASN'T THAT"HER" MOTHER AT THE END STARING UP AT THE POSTER FROM 2001?
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievably brilliant
Review: Let me start off by saying, this movie isn't for everyone. It's the sickest s*** I ever saw, and I'm not just talking about the VERY graphic violence. Now, it's best I don't say anything further about this hallucinogenic masterpiece, because before I watched this film I had no idea what it was about or what to expect, and I think it's best that way. Let me just say this: The camera work, the soundtrack, the actors, the way the story is carried out, the credits even!!! everything about this movie is just... Brilliant. If you think you can handle this movie, please do yourself a favor and don't read any more reviews!!! It will only ruin it for you.
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