Irreversible

Why does Gaspar Noe seem to hate me? Each new film he does is always a nightmarish clusterfuck of pain. And the same goes for his notorious 2002 Irreversible, a film in which thousands ran out of the Cannes screening in fury at what they had just seen. Plot? Vincent Cassel and Albert Dupontel go on a revenge mission after Cassel's girlfriend is raped after a party, beaten and left for dead. Despite the horrifying 9 minute (yes, 9 minutes!) rape scene in which the fantastic Monica Belucci is raped then beaten. Surprisingly, this is not the most gruesome scene in the film. That prestigious award goes to the disturbing scene where Vincent Cassel smashes in the head in of the guy who he thinks is Belucci's rapist, when it turns out to be the guy next to him. Pretty major mistake there. Despite this film being the second most painful movie I have had to endure (the number one spot obviously going to the WTF that was Trash Humpers), I still believe it has a valid message. The mindboggling non linear narrative not only raises a hat to Nolan's Memento, but also keeps you captivated all throughout. (either that or the nauseating low-frequency hum he put over the whole film. Look it up) You may not like it but you won't be able to look away.

7/10

Teo