Funny Games Part Deux

Last Saturday afternoon I went to the Dipson Theatre at the Eastern Hills Mall to see Michael Haneke’s 2007 version of Funny Games. Really the only thing I can say about this film is—you’ll either love it or hate it. Most of the people in the theatre probably hated it since they practically ran out of as soon as the credits rolled and the death metal song started back up. I thought it was amazing!

With most remakes I generally like to see the original so I can compare them and see how bad they fudge it up. The weird thing with Funny Games is the writer/director of the original 1997 German version also directed this newer version specifically for U.S. audiences. What is interesting to note is, Haneke shot the film scene for scene. So it ended up looking identical to the original minus the subtitles and with new actors of course.

After seeing both versions I think the newer Funny Games is far superior. The casting is better, the performances more intense, and the tension and dread just come off more believable in the hands of Michael Pitt, Naomi Watts, and Tim Roth.

The 1997 version does have a nice interview with Michael Haneke on the DVD that sheds some light on the motivations for the film. I thought he had some interesting ideas on how the viewer becomes an accomplice in violent films by witnessing the atrocities. He also talked about how he isn’t concerned with just telling a story and having it end simply because it should or has to. But is more interested in developing intelligent villains which tend to make for a better stories. A great concept I wish more screenplays and films followed, since I often find myself cheering on the bad guy.

After seeing Funny Games twice now I really want to go back and watch some of his other films. Years ago I saw The Piano Teacher and don’t really remember much about it, other than it being awkward and weird. Just the sorta film I tend to enjoy. He also wrote and directed Caché, which is a more conventional suspense/thriller about a couple who receive strange packages from a voyeur.

I sure do love me some Netflix…