Funny Games U.S. (2007)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Michael Haneke

Writer:

Michael Haneke (written by)

Release Date:

27 March 2008 (Greece)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Shall we begin?

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Violence | Remake | Hostage | Serial Killer | Death

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

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
Susanne C. Hanke	...	Betsy's Sister-in-Law (as Susanne Hanke)
Linda Moran	...	Eve

Also Known As:

Funny Games (USA)
Funny Games U.S. (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for terror, violence and some language.

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA | France | UK | Austria | Germany | Italy

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Ireland:16 | UK:18 | Canada:14A (British Columbia/Manitoba) | Canada:18+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Ontario) | USA:R (certificate #43792) | Norway:15 | Denmark:15 | Singapore:NC-16 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Finland:K-15 | Sweden:15 | France:-16 | Germany:18 | Netherlands:16 | Italy:VM14 | Ireland:15 (video rating) | Hong Kong:IIB | New Zealand:R18 | Australia:MA | Austria:16 | Japan:PG-12 | Brazil:16 | Portugal:M/18 | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Celluloid Dreams

Trivia:

The film is a shot-by-shot remake of the original.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Throughout the movie Paul calls Peter "Tom", and Peter calls Paul "Jerry". These are references to the Tom & Jerry cartoons. They also refer to each other as 'Beavis' and 'Butthead', another cartoon reference.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

References "Wetten, dass..?" (1981)

Soundtrack:

HELLRAISER

Disturbing, unpleasant, involving, engaging...

I did not like FUNNY GAMES U.S. in the same manner that I like chocolate ice-cream or like watching television. But I appreciated this movie immensely, for the mere fact that it was able to engage and involve audiences with the stomach to sit through its entire ~110 minute run-time. I'll admit, there were many times during the movie when I wanted to fast-forward to the end, expecting the big Hollywood finish, and there were many times that I looked away briefly. In the end, I am glad that I made it through. Not only is Michael Haneke's film a blatant slap-in-the-face to Hollywood and those who have become accustomed to Hollywood's ultimately cheery and optimistic nature, it is a film that will provoke reaction from viewers. It will make them FEEL. And any film that can do that in today's desensitised and morally bankrupt society is a work of genius. I myself felt pure rage surging through my veins for the first hour or so, wanting to take the golf clubs and bludgeon the heads of those NASCAR-watching, death metal-listening, incestuous trashy psychos to bloody pulps, and then desecrate their remains. And I am not an evil person. I found myself swearing at the screen every time Michael Pitt's grotesque face appeared, and though I know nothing of the man, save for a few small roles, I think I hate him. And that is the power of FUNNY GAMES U.S.

Tim Roth and Naomi Watts are perfectly cast as the loving couple who are the victims of a home invasion. Viewers will develop a sense of longing to see them make it out of their ordeal safely. The actors cast as the demonic villains also do quite well, but I can't even bring myself to mention their names; such is my loathing for them, and again, such is the power of the film. And I am well aware that it is just that: a film; a Motion Picture based on fiction. Yet the underlying messages about the desensitisation of the individual to violence is a potent one. One can recall seeing the unusually high body counts in action movies without flinching, yet watching the act of murder in movies of a more subtle and brooding nature are almost unbearable.

When I first saw the film , I hated it. Then the messages grew on me, and elements such as the breaking of the fourth wall, the infamous and debatable remote scene, and the final conversation between the villains, are simply unforgettable. Now, I have become a fan of this movie. Not in the same way I am a fan of the English National Team, mind you, just enough to suggest that I strongly appreciate the film. The movie is an uncomfortable, and unpleasant one, and viewers will hardly find a moment to take a deep breath or relax, as even the quieter scenes are filled to capacity with tension. As such, this has to be one of the most unbearably exhausting films one will see under two hours.

The plot is a dark and malevolent one and one that is quite well-developed, but it is not without its flaws, and some of the many conversations/debates that will follow this film will focus on questions such as "Why didn't she...?" and "How come he didn't...?", and things of that nature. Additionally, there are times when Haneke takes too many liberties with his audience, and on at least one occasion, comes off as unnecessarily cocky and manipulative.

FUNNY GAMES U.S. is a powerfully emotional film. I am actually surprised that it was branded as a horror, as there are no real Hollywood type horror elements in the film. As such, I consider the movie as a dark suspense thriller, but a horrific one nonetheless. I am compelled to give this movie a 9/10 and a rating of 3.5 stars (out of 4). I highly recommend films of this nature, in the same way that I recommended 1999's THE WAR ZONE (coincidentally, directed by Tim Roth; a film that safely resides in my Top 60, though I did not like it in the traditional sense of the word), as serious film viewers owe it to themselves to broaden their horizons, and challenge their emotions. This film will enter my Top 100 at #88 or so (a notion that did not cross my mind once during viewing). Highly recommended for serious viewers. For those who are queasy, or upset quickly, the choice is yours. It is not entertainment, but a dark, thought-provoking, forceful, and unforgettable movie-going experience Don't say you weren't warned...