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Funny Games-2007 American Remake
Source-Warner Brothers DVD
I saw the original German version of Funny Games quite a few years ago. This shot for shot remake,which has the same director as the original,while exactly the same as the original doesn't have the emotional impact. A couple and their son,Naomi Watts and Tim Roth,are heading to their vacation home that is on a lake. They arrive and Tim and his son go out to get the sailboat prepared. While this is happening Naomi is getting dinner ready when a knock is at the door. She answers it and it is 2 teenage boys,who say that the neighbors sent them over to borrow some eggs. Both boys have an air of uneasiness surrounding them. Tim Roth and the son come back into the house around the time both boys are leaving,there is a confrontation and the two boys get the upper hand and take the couple and their son hostage. From here it becomes a series of sick and twisted games that the two boys play with the family. One thing that a lot of people don't notice on first viewing is 99% of the violence happens off screen and we only really see the aftermath. While this movie clearly draws on Last house on the left,Last house on the beach,and House on the edge of the park,it doesn't fall into the exploitation of the audience that the others do. One scene which I have to mention,but can't say much about without spoiling one of the best moments in movies in many years,It seems that Naomi Watts is getting the upper hand on the two boys. But quickly you find out that she only has a very "remote" chance. For some reason the original worked better on an emotional level,even though it was subtitled. This one is still good,but it didn't have as an intense effect on me. Still I would have to give it a solid A.
