Writer-director Michael Haneke remakes his own European horror film for the states with FUNNY GAMES. Billed as FUNNY GAMES (US), the film is a supposedly shot-by-shot remake of Haneke’s horror film from 1997. FUNNY GAMES follows two privileged young men who find pleasure in torturing well-to-do, vacationing families. The two men, Paul and Peter, find their next victims with Ann, George and their son George, Junior.
FUNNY GAMES is not an easy film to watch, but it’s also not a film that’s easy to turn away from. I have a strong feeling this is exactly what Haneke was shooting for. The film has been tagged as the latest torture porn film, but by my standards, it’s a cut above the genre. I’m not sure any pleasure is to be derived from FUNNY GAMES violent acts, but a sense of terror, intrigue and suspense is exis
tent for much of the film. Its not until the film’s latter third, that Haneke’s directorial choices seem as if he’s playing “funny games” with his audience. A few techniques Haneke utilizes seem intent on manipulating our emotions and reactions simply for the sake of manipulation. While I can appreciate toying with the conventions of the genre, it seems as if something more substantial should come from it. It’s a shame that Haneke’s experimental, but childish choices are manifested in a film with much skill. As the two antagonists, the performances by Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet are effectively eerie, and Naomi Watts is once again on the mark as the damsel in distress. FUNNY GAMES is an often uncomfortable and skillful film that is often too clever for its own good.
Grade: C+
FUNNY GAMES is not an easy film to watch, but it’s also not a film that’s easy to turn away from. I have a strong feeling this is exactly what Haneke was shooting for. The film has been tagged as the latest torture porn film, but by my standards, it’s a cut above the genre. I’m not sure any pleasure is to be derived from FUNNY GAMES violent acts, but a sense of terror, intrigue and suspense is exis
tent for much of the film. Its not until the film’s latter third, that Haneke’s directorial choices seem as if he’s playing “funny games” with his audience. A few techniques Haneke utilizes seem intent on manipulating our emotions and reactions simply for the sake of manipulation. While I can appreciate toying with the conventions of the genre, it seems as if something more substantial should come from it. It’s a shame that Haneke’s experimental, but childish choices are manifested in a film with much skill. As the two antagonists, the performances by Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet are effectively eerie, and Naomi Watts is once again on the mark as the damsel in distress. FUNNY GAMES is an often uncomfortable and skillful film that is often too clever for its own good.Grade: C+
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