MICHAEL HANEKE'S CACHE

Where, in my opinion, David Croenenberg failed with A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE --- Austrian/French filmmaker, Michael Haneke succeeds. Haneke's CACHE (HIDDEN) is one part thriller/mystery and more part societal commentary. And, quite timely coming from the French perspective. Without cramming the message down the collective throat of the audience or banging the message into our heads, Haneke finds a number of interesting ways to illustrate his point. In one very telling scene as the husband and wife fret over their problems we see a world at war on their big screen television to which they are both oblivious. The undercurrent of racial and class tension runs strong throughout the film and the white upper class characters never seem to notice or acknowledge on any level.

The challenge in writing about this film is avoiding spoilers. But, "the set up" --- upper class French family begins to receive anonymous video tapes taken of their home and other mysterious long running scenes where very little if anything ever happens. The tapes arrive packaged in what appear to be a child's rendering of a bleeding mouth or the dismemberment of a chicken's head. The creepy factor runs high and the family slowly begins to unravel under the pressure of the stress that "the threat" of these odd tapes and the many hidden secrets being carefully concealed. Working on both the emotional and metaphorical levels of emotion and non-acceptance of French history (specifically the French war in Algeria and the horrid repression against Algerians living in France at that time) or the unwillingness to admit that there are some very serious and brewing racial and class tensions just waiting to explode. French riots, anyone? The almost pathological refusal to accept any blame for something horrible from the past on the part of the main character packs a strong punch to the French conscience. This film is not just liberal posing --- Haneke is out for blood. And his aim is his chosen home country.

Anyone familiar with the challenging, transgressive and violent work of Michael Haneke knows that his films are not going to be every viewer's cup of tea. However, to deny the impact and power of his talent would be a horrible mistake on the part of any viewer. Deliberately paced so that we fall into a sort of trap - midway into the film we are not quite sure when we are viewing "real time" reality or the creepy surveillance tapes being made of and for the family. It works. The suspense builds. However, don't be fooled into thinking you can predict what is going to happen. Suspense and thrills are not the point of Haneke's vision.

I do want to offer a bit of a warning to potential viewers -- There is a particularly surprising and gruesome scene which caused a number of gasps and two quick exits when I was viewing the movie. However, there is a point being made and it would not be made without the shock value of that moment. However, it is nightmare-inducing.

The performances are pitch-perfect. One would expect no less from such talents as Daniel Auteuil and Juliette Binoche. Auteuil is particularly effective in a role that allows him to go from one extreme to the other. By the film's end he is a very different man than the one we meet in the first few minutes. French film fans will love Annie Girardot's brief cameo! With barely 4 minutes on the screen she still manages to rip your heart out. An amazing actress.

To say that CACHE is thought-provoking would be an understatement. This film left me in total awe and horror. There are no easy answers. In many ways, this is a mystery left for the audience to solve. ...or to resolve. There has been much written and discussed about the film's "odd" and "unconventional" ending. Going into the cinema I was already aware of this, but did not know what the nature of the ending. I guess this is with good reason as it was the topic in the lobby as the audience headed out into the fresh San Francisco air. Several people debated the idea that a plot point or clue was given to us in the closing sequence. It is my opinion that to focus on that is to miss Haneke's point. In the end, it isn't the mystery that matters. It is the horrible secrets and truths we hide from not only our loved ones, but from ourselves.


...the talking head discuss the literature, but the books are all empty and blank.

It takes time to determine if a work of art is a masterpiece. But, I suspect that this film will stand the test of time. If you love movies that makes you think --- this is one for you. If you're looking for light entertainment or pure horror, this is not the movie for you. And, don't expect any easy answers or conclusions. They are hidden, but you might be able to find them if you watch closely.

If we had a rating system in place I would be giving this the highest rating possible!

Shame on the OSCAR for ignoring this brilliant work! This is worse than their failure to recognize Herzog's GRIZZLY MAN!