|
| Movie Review: Cache (Hidden) Alternate Title: The Sins of the Father..
Story:Can a movie be entertaining
while causing you an anxiety attack plus a stomach ache and also be
satisfying without being totally understood? A resounding YES to both
these questions. Cache (Hidden) is director Michael
Haneke's latest film (The Piano Teacher) and it is
fabulous. He won the Best Director award at this year's Cannes Festival.
It is most certainly NOT a Hollywood production where all of the loose
ends are tied up before the end credits roll. If you require that sort
of movie going experience this film is definitely NOT for you. I can't reveal much of the plot but will say it is about a well to
do French couple and their 12 year old son. They are the target of a
stalker who has been sending them videotapes of the outside of their
home with frightening drawings attached. What does he want? Why is he stalking them? This film is about guilt
- both collective and personal. While the film was made before the recent
rioting in France the film addresses some of the root causes (racism
and homogeneity) of those recent occurrences. You will be riveted from the opening scene. You will also scratch your
head and the audience shares a collective gasp towards the end of the
film. This film is about fear, terrorism, dread, guilt and Old World
Europe. I can't reveal much else about the film but will suggest that you pay
very close attention to the last scene (on the left) for clues about
possible answers to the story. I had a discussion with the guy sitting
in front of me and he totally missed what I saw and decided to sit through
it all over again to catch what I saw. OY! Acting: French super stars Daniel Auteuil
and Juliette Binoche are the forlorn couple.
They are both terrific, as always. Predilection: I like to see award winning films
Critters: A few dogs (it is France) in walk on appearances.
Food: Food is plentiful (it is France) even while
the terror persists.
Blatant Product Placement: Not so blatant but I did
see an Apple laptop on a desk.
Soundtrack: I did not hear any music at all. But
I did hear the thumping of my heart.
Opening Titles: A fascinating character by character
presentation of the cast, crew, producers, etc superimposed over the
outside of the home of the couple.
Visual Art: Stark interiors throughout other than
the 12 year old's room which had posters galore including one of Eminem.
Theater Audience: About thirty head scratching gasping
viewers.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 3
Squirm Scale: Squirm factor very high. The feeling
of dread permeates the two hours.
Drift Factor: No drifting allowed.
Predictability Level: I did not have an inkling what
was going to happen.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Yes.
Soap Box: The French have a history of racism that
is discussed in this film as recently as en event that occurred in October
17, 1961 to Algerians living in France. To read about that go to: http://www.marxists.org/history/algeria/1961/oct-17-1961.htm
Big Screen or Rental: Your pick. Do you want to be
scared in a group or alone at home?
Length: Two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 9
|