Sundance Diary: Michael Haneke, I'm sending you my shrink bill

J Atwell Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 01:01 PM EST

I'm not going to see this movie. I saw Natural Born killers and I hated it too, both intellectually and esthetically. I did not enjoy it in any way. Oh, and by the way, sarah, concerning No End In Sight? Bravo for your sky high political rhetoric. NEIS is full of half truths and poli-sci palaver disguised as analysis. It's about as 'real' as the Boogie Man. The movie only exists to bash the Bush administration.

J. Mon, Mar 17, 2008 at 06:05 PM EST

Funny Games is actually quite funny. It’s the sort of joke that small children find endlessly entertaining. A state of being that the surrealists called convulsive beauty, or in the playground would be just about going berserk. This film has no sexual tension and this sort of lands with a thud but as a re-creation of our earlier childhood experiences it is rather unique. It’s an inner world that’s all fantasy with no consequence. My sense was that its aim was slightly higher and then falls short of the mark. This work comes from a very long tradition of film as a subversive art. The set-up is quite clever yet the unwillingness to go full throttle on the hydraulic of sex and violence leaves it a little underwhelming. Not exactly bad Hitchcock but then not Pulp Fiction either. Like the band Trooper’s hit song from the 80’s ‘She’s a Three Dressed up as a Nine’. This is a four dressed up as an eight.

Ross Tipo Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 12:32 PM EST

Yahhhhhhh, I saw the German version a few months ago... freaked me the EFF out. There was one shot (which I really really hope Haneke repeats in his American version, which I will be viewing Saturday) which involves one of the most horrifying events on film and then stays on one of the other characters for perhaps a full five minutes. And it was the most crippling thing I have ever seen in a film... ever. Naomi better own 'dis sh*t.

JordanB Mon, Mar 10, 2008 at 01:59 PM EST

All Haneke is doing is showing the audience what they don't want to face - that they've become desensitized to the violence in movies, especially American ones. He deserves credit for pushing the limits!
What bothers me is that this is not the first film to use such disturbing violence. (Hostel, anyone?) Funny Games doesn't show violence for violence's sake; it has a greater purpose.

Chris G Mon, Mar 10, 2008 at 08:18 AM EST

I can't wait to see this movie!

James Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 04:57 PM EST

Comparisons to Kubrick's 'Clockwork Orange'? It strikes me as illiterate of people to say that this is a rip-off, being that Haneke knows full well what he's referencing. It's a critique in itself and I suggest evaluating the comparisons on these terms.

The film is quite good, it pairs classic tropes and we as viewers are in quite the predicament to either continue watching or exiting. I think our desire was for resolution(as always), if in fact you continued to watch. It's an important film and one of the most difficult films I've watched in recent memory. I think the continued use of self-reflexivity throughout the film was unnecessary with exception of the end and the remote scene. It does set-up a type of Brechtian involvement, we are no longer complacent by standers but incredibly self-conscious & cognizant of our "participation" with the unfolding violence. It's a structuralist, deconstruction of filmic, meditated violence & fiction is our collective "safe word".

LadieDethstrike Mon, Feb 11, 2008 at 04:25 PM EST

If you're looking forward to Haneke's remake of Funny Games, you gotta check out this really cool spoof of the Funny Games trailer. The homemade spot is for Kubrick's The Shining!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GktNzXAQuCY

Phaeonix Fri, Feb 8, 2008 at 04:33 PM EST

I am absolutely in love with and fully agree with the rhetoric and Heineke's reasons for the first and even again, this remake. One of the trailers closely mimicked Clockwork Orange's trailer, even. More tie-ins throughout.
This is definitely something I will both see at least twice, and will buy any DVD and collector's edition. Too bad it won't be released on IMAX, as far as I know.
How can you preach about a subject, without displaying said subject? A bit dodgy, wouldn't you think? I believe it's absolutely necessary, but in the end if you don't go for any psychology, sociology, or even anthropology, in the end this is still just an entertaining movie for those who wish to see it "for the hell of it."

Byron Wed, Feb 6, 2008 at 05:26 AM EST

When I first saw the trailer, the voice of one Stimpson J. Cat popped into my head. And he said, "Joy!"

Can't wait to see this one.

Jenny Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 07:48 PM EST

I was a Sundance volunteer this year working the Egyptian, and I had the wonderful task of ushering the same screening of Funny Games that you attended. I had never seen the original, nor do I want to or ever plan to. I was aware of the basic plot line and knew this film was not up my alley from the beginning but...alas. You summarized my exact thoughts, down to the crying during the credits (well, I had to bite my tounge until the theater was empty). A fellow volunteer summed it up well by saying "there is no God in any of his movies". That night, I slept with the light on, the kitchen table in front of my front door and my precious dog at the foot of my bed. Funny Games was well made and well done. However, it took me two days to realize that and recover from the vile horror I had put myself through.

Jenny Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 07:48 PM EST

I was a Sundance volunteer this year working the Egyptian, and I had the wonderful task of ushering the same screening of Funny Games that you attended. I had never seen the original, nor do I want to or ever plan to. I was aware of the basic plot line and knew this film was not up my alley from the beginning but...alas. You summarized my exact thoughts, down to the crying during the credits (well, I had to bite my tounge until the theater was empty). A fellow volunteer summed it up well by saying "there is no God in any of his movies". That night, I slept with the light on, the kitchen table in front of my front door and my precious dog at the foot of my bed. Funny Games was well made and well done. However, it took me two days to realize that and recover from the vile horror I had put myself through.

drella66 Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 04:08 PM EST

I loved the original verision and was afraid that the re-make would be a watered down copy but then was thrilled to realize that it was the same director making it. I think Michael Pitt is PERFECT to play the part and I CANNOT WAIT to see this.

And the poster with the close up of Niaomi Watts crying is GENIUS!

sarah Sun, Jan 27, 2008 at 11:09 PM EST

I'm surprised Ms Schwartz was so disturbed...is she a regular movie reviewer? Has she seen Clockwork Orange? (how 'bout those white outfits...ring any bells with anyone?). I happened to watch the original today, my husband Netflixed (is that a verb now?) it after seeing previews for the American version. I didn't want to watch it particularly, but did anyway expecting a "twist," that was supposed to alter my sympathies for the characters, but instead turned out to cheapen the movie...the whole wink wink at the camera thing and a "it's not reality" ending. Didn't care for it.

Schwartz and others who are "totally disturbed" and upset to tears should see "No End In Sight." That's much more disturbing and it's real.

steandric Sat, Jan 26, 2008 at 03:00 PM EST

I just want to say Naomi Watts is such a fantastic and brave actress who delivers yet another great performance here that would put all those mediocre but hyped ones from over-rated actresses to shame. She is also the executive producer of this film.

Not only is it a shame that Missy Schwartz's review has not used a photo of the lead actress/character, it's also irritating that the talented and always underrated actress is once again overlooked here in this review as if she were nothing more important than the supporting Michael Pitt, not to say he isn't good but the sheer disregard of Watts is an insult in light of what she has contributed to this project and the movie industry as a whole.

beeflips Sat, Jan 26, 2008 at 01:58 PM EST

I got this movie. Hanneke took every convention of a thriller/horror film, took every expectation his audience had and completely reversed it. I'll use as an example the death of one of the characters. In a typical horror film, we see the terrified look on the face of the victim, the grimacing malevolence of the criminal, with the background music building to a crescendo, followed by the crime itself. In Funny Games, we see the partner fixing himself a sandwich in the kitchen. Everything we expect and want in a film - hope, vengeance, triumph, drama - was snatched away by it. I still don't know whether to love this film or hate it, though, because it almost seemed like a math equation: Audience expectation plus audience desire equals zero.

Jonathan F. Sat, Jan 26, 2008 at 01:35 PM EST

ever since watching the trailer a couple months ago in front of some movie i can't even remember i have wanted to see this. looks crazy good.

a therapist Fri, Jan 25, 2008 at 06:18 PM EST

in order to cope with trauma, unfortunately, you have to relive it until it no longer has power over you. this doesn't mean that you have to watch the movie all over again, but you need to talk about your experience for as long as you need to, re-experience the horror with someone you trust and then move on...i'm sorry you went through that...i have the same reaction to these types of movies as well, and people laugh at me!

DW Fri, Jan 25, 2008 at 03:11 PM EST

The original was excellent, creepy and unexpected - especially the 'rewind' sequence which was just mind-blowing. However you may feel about the premise, Haneke is a master fillmaker and how can he lose with this cast? - and Pitt is perfectly cast, since I too have always found him sinister.

Calliope10 Fri, Jan 25, 2008 at 11:19 AM EST

The beginning scenes (with the eggs) in the original (when you're just starting to realize what the boys are up to) was the most anxiety-producing experience I have ever had while watching a movie ... I loved every minute of it! I thought the rest of the movie kind of lost steam however -I mean; how could they possibly maintain THAT level of tension? A well-made psychological drama is NOT the same as torture porn. I ADORE Tim Roth, admire Naomi Watts (so good in Mulholland Drive!) and think Michael Pitt is just PERFECT for the role. And with the same director helming? Can't lose ... I'm planning to see it opening day...

Lori Fri, Jan 25, 2008 at 10:51 AM EST

I couldn't even make it through the trailer just now. Which shrink are you using??

Ambriel Fri, Jan 25, 2008 at 10:34 AM EST

Missy--I say brava to your exploration of your true reactions and feelings to this movie. It's o.k. to take things personally and to question not only your own responsibility and participation in what you're watching but also the motives and morals of the movie’s creator. Aren’t those questions and impulses are at the heart of all art/theater? Finally, I just had to share that your situation reminded me of the time in college when my western civilization class was discussing Freud and sex. Overwhelmed by how distant and matter of fact the discussion had become I raised my hand and said "I just have to say that I think sex is special." (ha!) While the rest of my class likely considered me the overly sentimental class virgin, I was and am proud that I said not only what I was thinking, but also what was in my heart (as cheesy as it sounds). So Missy, good for you, for feeling the way you do and expressing it so well!

Working Girl Fri, Jan 25, 2008 at 09:44 AM EST

I saw this trailer preceding "There Will Be Blood," and turned to my companion and asked why anyone would ever, ever voluntarily subject themselves to that.

Kathleen Fri, Jan 25, 2008 at 09:44 AM EST

I loved the original. I really did. It's probably on my top 10 list. It's the only movie I ever had to walk away from. I didn't turn it off or walk out, but when Mr was waiting on Mrs to return . . . I couldn't stand it. I had to walk in the other room. I was a little disappointed when I heard about a remake, but I'm torn these days.

JenCar Fri, Jan 25, 2008 at 09:26 AM EST

Maybe this will help you cope. Think of Michael Pitt as the young teenage who was trying to woo Michelle Williams in Dawson's Creek. He was a lot less creepy then. Intense, but not creepy. It was Dawson's Creek, though. Who wasn't intense?

Kevin Fri, Jan 25, 2008 at 07:48 AM EST

I saw the original. I found it boring. I get disturbed if someone gets slapped in a movie (Zodiak freaked me out) but I didn't buy one second of the movie. I thought it was silly. The psychos in their white sweaters weren't realistic and the whole idea that there wouldn't be any sexual abuse was ludricrous. The whole thing was too contrived and obvious.

Fri, Jan 25, 2008 at 07:22 AM EST

I watched the original film as a film studies student in college. This is first and only film I have ever walked out on. I can not believe they are remaking the movie. I will not see it.

tyler Fri, Jan 25, 2008 at 03:05 AM EST

If the remake is exactly like the original, I just don't understand how do you not get that it's completely tongue-in-cheek. Haneke may be a misanthrope, but he's a brilliant film-maker and categorizing his movie among the rest "violent trash" is just wrong. That's exactly what this movie was ironically commenting on, a full decade before the "genre" became Hollywood's goose with the golden eggs.

Nix Fri, Jan 25, 2008 at 03:05 AM EST

After considering the possible arguments, pondering the accuracy, or lack thereof, of equation abhorrent = challenging = good, and passing into a rumination on various theories of aesthetics, with a passing thought as to violence in art vis a vis violence in real life, I have decided I do not want to see this movie, because that actor on the right is not cute.

James Fri, Jan 25, 2008 at 02:40 AM EST

"Moment of Truth" and "Funny Games" - yep, keep driving those nails in the coffin.

Jen Thu, Jan 24, 2008 at 11:48 PM EST

Man, the trailer for this film is the creepiest thing I've seen in ages...but honestly, I am looking forward to seeing it for pretty much the same reasons Ceballos mentioned. Plus, psychopath or not, Michael Pitt is extremely watchable.

Rose Tyler Thu, Jan 24, 2008 at 11:47 PM EST

Micheal Pitt has always freaked me out too. I'm certain I will avoid this movie like the plague.

Ceballos Thu, Jan 24, 2008 at 10:22 PM EST

I've been intrigued about this movie since I heard about the original and especially when I saw the Kubrick-like trailer for the American remake.

Not really sure what that says about me that I'm anticipating something that, by all accounts, is awful and abhorrent to look at. All I can say is that I like seeing talented artists work and I especially love to see someone push the boundaries and produce challenging work.

Rose Tyler Thu, Jan 24, 2008 at 09:33 PM EST

Micheal Pitt has always freaked me out too. I'm certain I will avoid this movie like the plague.

dan Thu, Jan 24, 2008 at 09:01 PM EST

this movie's been on my radar for awhile, and Joblo.com rightfully declared it the best trailer of 2007.

i want to see this movie, and i have no idea why.

B Thu, Jan 24, 2008 at 08:37 PM EST

The original is a total mind %@!& It never backs down and constantly pushes the envelope. A great commentary on violence both on the screen and in real life. I am glad to hear that the director didn't soften his American version.

actingup Thu, Jan 24, 2008 at 08:32 PM EST

I just do not find violence and cruelty entertaining at all. This world is so horrific and violent - just read the news : people planting bombs, blowing themselves up in a crowded marketplace, killing in name of Jesus or Allah or whoever, driving drunk and killing people, rapists, murder-suicides, parents killing their children, men killing their wives, the list goes on and on.
Why in the world would I want to sit throught a violent film? Especially when it seems there are so many films that WANT you to be titilated by the violence and turned on - instead of being repulsed. I think it is truly frightening and reflects what is going on in our society. We have all become so blase and numb to the violence. Another school shooting? Shrug. Another shooting at a mall? Another workplace murder? It is sickening.
It makes me think of those two men who held that entire family captive, raped the daughter and the mother and then set them on fire. I don't want to see anything like that..

T-Rex Thu, Jan 24, 2008 at 07:16 PM EST

Haven't seen the movie. I did watch the trailer. I feel that in remaking the movie shot-for-shot, the film-maker loses all credibility vis-a-vis his position regarding the consumption of violence. Clearly he's putting it out there to be consumed. By remaking it in english he's just demonstrating his willingness to be exploitative of the public's willingness to consume. But hey, film-makers gotta eat too.

donner Thu, Jan 24, 2008 at 06:38 PM EST

I just watched the trailer...there are people who suffer thru this in real life and its not entertaining whatsoever...two Dartmouth university professors were killed after inviting two young men into their homes...I wont be watching this movie and I think I might need to string up a can of paint over my front door, just in case some hick comes a callin'...yeehaw...

Alyk Thu, Jan 24, 2008 at 06:14 PM EST

I haven't seen the remake, but I have seen the original. Although it was tough to watch, it wasn't even NEARLY as disturbing as Haneke's "The Pianist." I kind of wanted to die after watching that movie.

Raven_Moon Thu, Jan 24, 2008 at 06:02 PM EST

Wow! That movie sounds awful. I think it's strange when a film tries to be preachy, but only end up using the same tactics they criticize. I won't be seeing this film.