Volume 3, No. 20 April 18, 2003
‘Anger’ over status of ‘Irreversible’ A Review By Beth E. Concepción Like most mothers, mine told me, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” That’s never stopped me before, but I will adhere to that advice in reviewing Adam Sandler’s new “comedy” titled “Anger Management.” That title also refers to what I’m doing as I change the subject to a different movie: “Irreversible,” written and directed by Gaspar Noe. The French movie is in limited release in the United States, and I was lucky enough to see it during a recent trip to New York. For those who have not heard of it, the truth is that many critics and audience members dislike this film. Essentially it is about rape and retribution and has been called “odious” and “grim.” The Village Voice described it as “an exploitation movie with a gimmick.” Starring Monica Bellucci, Vincent Cassel and Albert Dupontel, the movie is told in reverse chronological order a la “Memento.” It is not for the squeamish as it contains extremely violent scenes. The movie’s detractors claim that the violence is gratuitous, but I disagree. If a viewer finds some parts difficult to watch, then that is good: That person is having a human reaction usually missing after being bombarded with standard Hollywood-style violence. Noe uses unique camera work to support the story. When peripheral or minor story advancement is the purpose, the camera flails wildly from person to person in dizzying fashion. But when Noe want to punctuate a point, the camera is painfully still, forcing the viewer to focus attention. Such is the case with the rape scene that has caused much of the controversy. The scene is nine minutes long, and I believe it is that long for a reason: Noe won’t let his audience take a convenient way out of watching by cutting away or changing camera angles. It is so easy to look the other way in real life. Noe makes his viewers think about that usual tack and perhaps reconsider typical behavior. Despite the fact that “Irreversible” was the official selection of the Toronto, Telluride, Sundance and Cannes film festivals, and is a movie that stays with the viewer long after the lights come on, Savannahians likely will have to wait to see it until it comes out on video. It is sad when “Anger Management” plays in Savannah on three screens and the Oscar-winning, thought-provoking movie “The Pianist” has only two showings per day at one theater. (Despite the fact that these showings are usually sold out, theater management has no plans to add more.) Savannah needs a theater that will make the commitment to show movies other than the standard Hollywood fare. Thankfully, REELsavannah, a local film society, is offering mainstream alternatives such as “Far From Heaven,” “Rabbit Proof Fence” and “Mulholland Drive” at the Lucas Theatre in April and May. For more information, visit the Web site at www.REELsavannah.org.
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