Funny Games U.S.
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Funny Games U.S. is one of those interesting but ultimately pointless experimental films: to wit, it's a shot-for-shot exact replica of writer/director Michael Haneke's 1997 German-language psychological horror film entitled Funny Games. The only differences are the actors, the language, and the "U.S." P.S. Even the title sequence, songs, and sets were recreated in minute detail in order to preserve the original in every possible way (with just a few minor upgrades on the TV sets and cell phones).
Essentially not a thing is changed, which to me possibly says a few things: 1) Haneke's got an ego the size of Maine if he thinks his previous film is absolutely perfect, 2) He didn't feel like bothering to challenge himself artistically by telling the story in a new way, or 3) He just wanted to market his 11-year-old message to an English-speaking audience whom he believes is too naieve to recognize that digestible violence is not necessarily a good thing.
For the record, I don't know Haneke. Never met him. He might be the nicest guy in the world. He may volunteer at soup kitchens, and raise orphaned baby bunnies in his home. I don't know. But having seen the original a couple of times already, I found the new Funny Games not only unoriginal, but condescending to his core audience as well.
Having said that, I do think that if you have not seen the original and you're "one of those" who refuses to read captions or can't imagine watching a film that's over 10 years old, then Funny Games U.S. is worth a look. It'll be new to you and since nothing's really changed, it's still a well-directed, solid story with some standout characters and cringe-inducing situations. (Especially one impactful scene involving an expensive set of pristine golf clubs.)
Naomi Watts, who also exec produced the film because she believed in it so strongly, plays Ann, well-to-do domestic goddess wife to George (Tim Roth), and loving mom to adolescent Georgie (Devon Gearhart). When this perfect family arrives for their perfect weekend at their perfect getaway waterfront cottage, they meet a perfect pair of pals, Peter and Paul (Brady Corbet and Michael Pitt, respectively). These WASPY, Ivy-League looking young men are staying with some neighbors down the road, they explain, and the missus would like to borrow some eggs. After the eggs are broken, so too is the façade of flawlessness.
Paul and Peter invade Ann and her family's peace in every way possible: physically, they are bound and gagged; psychologically, they are tortured by the mens' cruel games. At once vicious, humorous, heartbreaking — and always very self-aware (there's some 4-wall breakage here) — the things this family is forced to endure at the white-gloved hands of these cunning killers will be hard to bear for more emotionally-invested viewers. The story does draw you in, and while it is well-acted across the board, it may not work for those who already admire the 1997 version.
My biggest obstacle in surrendering to Funny Games 2008 was the casting. Those who are coming into this story fresh may not share my opinion, and I respect that. But here is my take: Watts and Roth are fine replacements, however the villains are not nearly as layered or menacing, and the modern Georgie comes off as wimpy rather than simply shell-shocked with fear as he should.
The pants-wearer in the pair of game-players is definitely Paul. He's the one who leads the way in the casual cruelty inflicted (not just on the family, but on his "friend" Peter as well). It's his composed, catlike nonchalance that makes him so terrifying. The originator of that role, Arno Frisch, crafted a performance which is a sinister simmer to Pitt's brassy boil. Pitt has been fine in other roles (I liked him Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and more recently in Delirious), but here he is just playing Justin from Murder By Numbers again. He can do this kind of role in his sleep, and to me he just didn't seem to blend into the small ensemble very seamlessly.
While I really can't fault Funny Games U.S., I simply cannot say I see much point in it either.
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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson