"Irreversible" is an artful movie. I can't deny it. I may not like the art, but it is much better at being art than the art I like. Did that make sense?
"Irreversible" is not just another horror movie. I wouldn't even think it's in that genre. It is horrific, but it's a tragedy. A horrific Tragedy.
Marq hit the nail on the head: that's cool you don't want to see it. We all make our choices. Matter of fact, I'm pretty sure that, for me, the pain in watching "Irreversible" outweighs any artful appreciation I have for it. But, now that I've suffered through it, I might as well squeeze as much appreciation as I can from it.
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As far as
profiting from Tragedy... it
has to happen. If it wasn't profitable, we wouldn't have Hollywood cranking out kick-ass war movies and theaters wouldn't be running "Antigone". Tragedy is an integral part of the human experience, and it's no shocker to find art reflecting that, like "Antigone". Reveling in it, like "Saving Private Ryan". Examining it, like "Irreversible".
"Irreversible" examines the tragedy that is rape and puts it in front of the viewer as if it were happening in their living room. There's no soundtrack. There's only one camera. It is as brutal as you can get without performing or enduring rape.
The only blemish I can see on this movie - and it detracts from the overall experience, IMO, is the plunge into El Rectum. (maybe that was the point - a joke?) The long minutes spent searching for El Tenia inside El Rectum was gratuitous. I can think of no artful explaination. I would have left it on the cutting floor.
The actual bashing of the wrong man can stay as-is, of course. The irreversible tragedy wouldn't be complete without it. It brings the tragedy full-circle in the classic Greek sense. I'm surprised there's not a scene of Pierre getting raped in prison - perhaps that was a post-coital cigarette Pierre was enjoying?
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Desensitized. Hmm. It's a valid point. I'm inclined to disagree, but since I can argue either for or against it, I'll have to let my head and heart duke it out for a moment. Heart says you're right; head says you're wrong.
And now, for a moment of levity, I'll leave you with my depiction of an asshole.
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