Irréversible (2002)

Directed by Gaspar Noé
Written by Gaspar Noé
Starring: Monica Bellucci, Vincent Cassel, Albert Dupontel
Music by: Thomas Bangalter
Language: French

Rating: 4/5

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Irréversible is probably one of the bravest and most original French movies of the past 15 years but unfortunately it is destined to be remembered for the controversial rape-scene, not for its unquestionable merits. The movie can boast of an excellent cast (Bellucci-Cassel - at that time still married), an interesting soundtrack (Thomas Bangalter is one half of the internationally acclaimed Daft Punk) and an experimental structure (something here reminds both the early Christopher Nolan and David Fincher).

Irréversible follows Marcus (Vincent Cassel) and Pierre (Albert Dupontel) as they try to find the one who raped and brutally beaten into unconsciousness Marcus’ girlfriend, Alex (Monica Bellucci). 

The movie is divided into thirteen scenes presented in a reverse chronological order. This is probably the the best and worst aspect of the whole movie. In fact this non-linear narrative introduces some original elements but at the same time makes impossible to create a sort of climax, with the result that the most intense scenes - the one at the gay BDSM club and the rape - are displayed at the very beginning and in the middle of the movie, respectively. As the end of the movie approaches, Irréversible gets boring and loses tension, this is the reason why it is not possible to rate it 5/5.

For the two scenes mentioned above the movie has been labeled as "unwatchable" but it should definitely meet the taste of many BDSM lovers (at least those who are not easily impressed). For example, the scene in the gay BDSM club is epic: here everything looks confused and claustrophobic, the twirling camera movements accidentally show men having rough sex, involved in sadomasochistic practices or even self-fisting; the controversial rape scene is on the other hand somewhat "chaste" - the camera lies in front of the two actors but there is nothing explicit in it, the act itself and the violence after the rape make the scene brutal. Paradoxically, it was enough to capture all the attention of the critics on that part only. Underrated.