Funny Games

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The name-the-opera-singer game that vacationing couple Ann (Naomi Watts) and George (Tim Roth) and their young son, Georgie (Devon Gearhart), play in their car during the opening minutes of "Funny Games" (Warner Independent) provides about the only worry-free moments in this nearly-two-hour bleak and horrifying thriller.

Our stomach-churning dread sets in as soon as Ann calls out from the car to Fred (Boyd Gaines), the neighbor living next door to their vacation home, and he answers her strangely. Ann remarks on Fred's peculiar response, but they otherwise shrug off their concern.

Before long, their own gated retreat will be invaded by the two fresh-faced young men who are staying with Fred and his wife: Peter (Brady Corbet), who shows up first with a seemingly innocent request to borrow a few eggs, and later Paul (Michael Pitt), who displays a morbid curiosity about George's golf clubs. They turn out to be sadists who overpower the family, hold them hostage and threaten to kill them. The family will do everything they can to placate or outwit their captors.

Director Michael Haneke's shot-by-shot remake of his 1997 German film of the same title is purportedly a critique of violence and the media, most especially the mindless violence of so many American films.

We'll take him at his word. But the most overt indications of such intent are the two occasions when one of the thugs speaks directly to the camera, and when that same character engineers the surreal rewinding of a crucial scene, one which had tricked the audience into applauding an act of intense violence. Haneke seems to want to show how many Hollywood films encourage an often-immoral response from the spectator. We then see what really transpires.

But despite excellent performances -- Watts is particularly strong in her harrowing role -- and Haneke's undeniable craftsmanship (demonstrated in 2005's outstanding "Cache") and most of the appalling violence kept off-screen, many will find the unrelenting brutality unbearably disturbing, no matter what the intended social commentary.

Haneke's film -- though without the overt gore of, say, "Hostel" or "Saw" -- will be viewed by many as equally exploitative. Others may appreciate Haneke's stated purpose.

Proceed only at your own risk.

The film contains extreme violence including torture and murder, blood, some crude language and profanity, skimpy female attire and a drug reference. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops