Funny Games (2007)
"Funny Games U.S." (original title)

Two psychopathic young men take a family hostage in their cabin.

Director:

Michael Haneke

Writer:

Michael Haneke

Stars:

Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, Michael Pitt

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Naomi Watts	...	Ann
Tim Roth	...	George
Michael Pitt	...	Paul
Brady Corbet	...	Peter
Devon Gearhart	...	Georgie
Boyd Gaines	...	Fred
Siobhan Fallon	...	Betsy (as Siobhan Fallon Hogan)
Robert LuPone	...	Robert
Susi Haneke	...	Betsy's Sister-in-Law (as Susanna Haneke)
Linda Moran	...	Eve

Storyline

In this English-language remake of a deconstruction in the way violence is portrayed in the media, a family settles into its vacation home, which happens to be the next stop for a pair of young, articulate, white-gloved serial killers on an excursion through the neighborhood.

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Plot Keywords:

violence | death | serial killer | remake | hostage | 

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Taglines:

Let the games begin...

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for terror, violence and some language

Details

Official Sites:

Les Films du Losange [fr] Official site

Country:

USA France UK Austria Germany Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 April 2008 (UK)

Also Known As:

Funny Games

Filming Locations:

Broadway Stages, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$510,958 (USA) (14 March 2008)

Gross:

$1,294,640 (USA) (25 April 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Celluloid Dreams, Halcyon Pictures, Tartan Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The production crew used the blueprints from the 1997 original. The set of the house in the 2007 American remake has the same proportions as that of the 1997 set.

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Goofs

When Paul "rewinds" the film he presses the Volume Down (-) button on the remote control rather than the Rewind button.

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Quotes

Paul: Hey, Beavis.
Peter: Hey, Butt-Head.

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Connections

References Beavis and Butt-Head (1993)

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Soundtracks

"HELLRAISER"
Written by John Zorn
Performed by Naked City - Grand Guignol
(P: Union Jasroc

User Reviews

Entertaining, Infuriating and very, very sick

The premise is not a thousand miles away from William Wyler's "Desperate Hours" but the distances here are measured in a different way. Michael Heneke the "author" of this horror thriller of sorts is at the service of his vision of himself. He's not the first "author" to suffer from the same malady but here it's so bloody obvious that becomes kind of funny. From the opening credits you know that "pretension" will permeate the whole movie and it does but, the funny thing is that it's riveting. I watched the whole nonsense with my mouth open. That's an achievement, isn't it? I haven't seen the original German version (a blow by blow account directed by Heneke himself)but, I must confess, I think I will, I think I want to. Don't ask me why. This is as empty as anything I've ever seen. A public act of obscenity and yet you can't, you just can't look away. Naomi Watts is terrific as the smart middle class wife and mother that will notice for first that Michael Pitt is not that good an actor. She sees through him - who wouldn't? - pretty much from the start. Michael Pitt plays the creep as a creep with good manners. So on the nose that doesn't manage to be frightening. He is shocking because of what he does but not for what he appears to be. He has no sexual presence. Tim Roth, as the weakling husband is disturbingly convincing and the young actor playing their son is truly wonderful. So here I am, talking about a film I kind of detested with unexpected respect. Michael Heneke may be one of those artists who are extraordinary self promoters, but he's an artist none the less and like real artist often do, divide, confront and provoke. So, did I like "Funny Games"? No. Will I see it again? Absolutely.