Combining the forces of an all-star cast and a disturbing thriller that will have you thinking long after you leave the theatre, Funny Games does it all right on its way to becoming one of the most inventive and troubling films of the year.
When a family of three arrives at their isolated summer cabin for some peaceful relaxation, the appearance of two young men is anything but what they expected. Requesting two eggs for the next door neighbors, Anna (Naomi Watts) finds the men odd but not violent. However, in a matter of minutes the three family members find themselves in shock and terror as their lives take a violent turn toward survival. Faced with the pain and anxiety that arises in such situations, the three victims must ban together to outwit the psychotic duo before their twelve hours of life is up.
While this film was absolutely amazing in so many ways, what really struck me to be the true clincher was the story. Taking an innocent family of three, all of whom would never harm a fly, and putting them into an element of survival was pleasantly astonishing. However, the story was much deeper than that.
Thrown into the mix are comedic commentary segments from the psychopaths to the audience. The commentaries are funny, and they do provide for a little comic relief in the otherwise intense film; However, I feel that the commentaries are so much more as they drive home the main topic of the film: violence in the media. The topic is controversial to say the least, but the way it was presented in this film made it an underlining matter, one that only the brightest of movie watchers will pick up on.
In addition to the story and style, I have to give credit to Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, Michael Pitt and the rest of the cast for creating a stellar ensemble. Forced to carry a high-energy, emotional roller-coaster ride through hell, the five person cast did it with ease as polar opposites were forced to co-exist in this dark tale. If even one actor from this film were changed, I do not feel that neither the chemistry nor the perception of the reality of the situation would have been presented nearly as effectively. By the end you have connected with the characters, hoping for their safety and praying for their courage and survival.
But all that wouldn't have been nearly as good if the ending was so perfect. Though foreseen, the climatic conclusion to this unsettling tale was anything but expected as it was real and raw, a rarity in film these days.
In the end I have to say that I was extremely impressed with Funny Games. Featuring the perfect cast and the most disturbing story and ending in recent memory, the film captivates and conquers, leaving you breathless by its conclusion. If you are a fan of movies, this one is not to be missed.
