Irreversible

Plot

Events over the course of one traumatic night in Paris unfold in reverse-chronological order as the beautiful Alex is brutally raped and beaten by a stranger in the underpass.

Release Year: 2002

Rating: 7.3/10 (45,495 voted)

Critic's Score: 51/100

Director:
Gaspar Noé

Stars: Monica Bellucci, Vincent Cassel, Albert Dupontel

Storyline
Events over the course of one traumatic night in Paris unfold in reverse-chronological order as the beautiful Alex is brutally raped and beaten by a stranger in the underpass. Her boyfriend and ex-lover take matters into their own hands by hiring two criminals to help them find the rapist so that they can exact revenge. A simultaneously beautiful and terrible examination of the destructive nature of cause and effect, and how time destroys everything.

Cast:

Monica Bellucci
–

Alex

(as Bellucci)

Vincent Cassel
–

Marcus

(as Cassel)

Albert Dupontel
–

Pierre

(as Dupontel)

Jo Prestia
–

Le Tenia

(as Prestia)

Philippe Nahon
–

L'homme

(as Nahon)

Stéphane Drouot
–

Stéphane

(as Drouot)

Jean-Louis Costes
–

Fistman

(as Costes)

Michel Gondoin
–

Mick

(as Gondouin)

Mourad Khima
–

Mourad

(as Khima)

Hellal
–

Layde

Nato
–

Commissaire

Fesche
–

Chauffeur Taxi

Jara-Millo
–

Concha

(as Jaramillo)

Le Quellec
–

Inspecteur

Giami
–

Isabelle

Taglines:
Le temps détruit tout – Time destroys everything

Release Date: 22 May 2002

Filming Locations: Buttes Chaumont, Paris 19, Paris, France

Opening Weekend: €343,799
(Italy)
(26 May 2002)
(161 Screens)

Gross: $753,501
(USA)
(20 April 2003)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min
 |
Canada: 99 min
(Toronto International Film Festival)

Did You Know?

Trivia:

Fearing that he will be labeled homophobic, director Gaspar Noé went back to the Rectum set after the main production was completed and shot a short cameo as the masturbating man.

Goofs:

Continuity:
When Alex walks down the stairs of the tunnel, the knot of her dress around her neck and her hairstyle change after the camera shows the sign "passage" and comes back to Alex's back.

Quotes:

[First lines]

Philippe:
You want me to say it? Time destroys everything.

User Review

Cinematic Torture

Rating: 10/10

If movies are suppose to effect the viewer then this movie is king of the
hill. From the dis-orienting camera moves that open the film through the
violence in the gay bar, the seemingly never ending rape and the films
unraveling of the days events in a backwards march I have yet to meet anyone
who has not been deeply effected by this movie – if they were brave enough
or stupid enough to watch it. (I'm still trying to figure out a local Best
Buy displaying a large number of DVD's as if it was the latest Adam Sandler
movie)

It is not an easy movie to watch but as an examination of what people are
capable and how violence can come from nowhere and from the unexpected its a
masterpiece. The backward structure takes what is essentially a dull revenge
story and turns it on its ear as we are forced to really examine how things
get out of hand very quickly and what people will do when pushed to the
limit.

If you want a challenge to your psyche and can brave simply some of the most
vicious and nasty screen violence (yes its graphic but much is also implied)
then see this movie – preferably with out distraction. But be warned, even
if you think you know what this movie is about and what your limits in
screen violence is, you still won't be prepared for what a mental hot foot
this film is.