Jessica and I saw this the night it opened in Philly, and the theater was packed. I know it’s been getting good reviews, but I’m not really sure why this particular audience — primarily the city’s oldfartserati — was at this film. Because it was French? I can’t imagine these people were fans of the Michael Haneke oeuvre (Code Inconnu, Time of the Wolf, The Piano Teacher), but what the hey.
I am very reluctant to say much about Caché, because I think the less you know about it going in, the better. Not to single her out, but particularly don’t read Cindy Fuchs’ review in the City Paper. As usual, she gives too much out in order to fill up her allotted word count. (Not that I haven’t done the same thing.) Suffice it to say the title, which means “hidden,” refers to a surveillance camera and some increasingly worrisome videotapes.
I am fairly certain that 90% of this audience absolutely hated this film. They were looking for the standard French kiss-and-slap, and this wasn’t it at all. They walked out mumbling and confused. Granted, it’s also the way most of them walked in.
Caché is Haneke’s best movie, and the best 2005 release I have seen. Just achingly tense and troubling on so many levels. Daniel Auteuil is always great, but he’s perfect here. Juliette Binoche is very strong in what’s essentially a minor role as Auteuil’s wife.
The film contains one of the most genuinely shocking scenes I’ve ever seen. The movie builds and builds, and you think you’re ready for whatever they can throw at you, and then WHOA. (The collective reaction of the packed oldfartserati audience was something to experience indeed.) I have been unsettled for days. Anyway, don’t see this if you’re old, you don’t like films about unending dread, and/or you like most modern French cinema; you won’t like it. Otherwise, wowie zowie. So good.
Links:
