Funny Games U.S. (2007)

Director:

Michael Haneke

Writer:

Michael Haneke (written by)

Release Date:

27 March 2008 (Greece)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Shall we begin?

Plot:

Two psychotic young men take a family hostage in their cabin.

Plot Keywords:

Violence | Serial Killer | Hostage | Death | Remake

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Naomi Watts	...	Ann Farber
Tim Roth	...	George Farber
Michael Pitt	...	Paul
Brady Corbet	...	Peter
Devon Gearhart	...	Georgie Farber
Boyd Gaines	...	Fred Thompson
Siobhan Fallon	...	Betsy Thompson (as Siobhan Fallon Hogan)
Robert LuPone	...	Robert
Susanne C. Hanke	...	Betsy's Sister-in-Law (as Susanne Hanke)
Linda Moran	...	Eve

Also Known As:

Funny Games (USA)
Funny Games U.S. (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for terror, violence and some language.

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA | France | UK | Austria | Germany | Italy

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Ireland:16 | UK:18 | Canada:14A (British Columbia/Manitoba) | Canada:18+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Ontario) | USA:R (certificate #43792) | Denmark:15 | Norway:15 | Singapore:NC-16 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Finland:K-15 | Sweden:15 | France:-16 (with warning) | Germany:18 | Netherlands:16 | Italy:VM14 | Ireland:15 (video rating) | Hong Kong:IIB | New Zealand:R18 | Australia:MA | Austria:16 | Japan:PG-12 | Brazil:16 | Portugal:M/18 | Argentina:16 | Iceland:18 | South Korea:18

Filming Locations:

Broadway Stages, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Celluloid Dreams

Trivia:

Director Michael Haneke also directed the Austrian original: Funny Games (1997).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Paul "rewinds" the film he presses the Volume Down (-) button on the remote control rather than the Rewind button.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Paul: Ann sent me over 'cause some guests dropped by, and she was wondering if you could help her out with some eggs.
Betsy: Well I guess so.
Paul: It's okay?
Betsy: Yeah, come on in. Just wait a second.

Movie Connections:

Features Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Soundtrack:

All To Myself

A Clever Perspective on Horror, but may Confuse Mainstream Audiences

I had never heard of 'Funny Games' before I saw the trailer for the re-make of the German Original. I was really just expecting a run-of-the-mill horror/thriller movie that entertains, but is forgettable. When I finally saw the film my first reaction afterwords was, "What on earth just happened?". The film's style is almost like you're looking through a window into the house where the 'Funny Games' are taking place. The camera makes little movement, and sometimes there are lengthly scenes where it doesn't cut at all. The film is definitely an art film and may be confusing to people expecting a big budget Hollywood blockbuster. The films PROS: There is an EXCELLENT message sent through the movie, about America's growing love for watching gruesome torture and gore on the big screen nowadays. You don't pick up on it the first time you watch it, but you notice that its not so much a movie about a story than it is a statement. There are also brilliant performances from Naomi Watts and the other co-stars. And some scenes are really suspenseful! The Films CONS: For people who are not prone to understanding the hidden meaning underneath art films immediately (like me) you will feel confused, and somewhat frustrated. There are times where it feels like you have to suffer through a 7-minute static shot of the living room and its wounded occupants lying there sobbing until you can get to an interesting situation. Overall 'Funny Games' was an original experience, but one that fails to really deliver a suspense filled 'Mainstream' performance.