Caché

Like 2007's Atonement, Michael Haneke's Caché (2005) is about dealing with guilt. As in Atonement, the lead character of Caché carries the burden of someone who's childhood actions have carried ramifications beyond their comprehension at the time.

Georges Laurent (Daniel Auteuil) chats up authors in his literature talk show. One day, he receives a mysterious videotape from a person whom he presumes to be one of his fans. The film starts off with this tape, which consists of a single shot of his home's facade. This tape sets up the pattern for the rest of the film - the film is shot on HD video, many shots are long takes, the camera seldom moves, and there is no score. As Laurent continues to receive these mysterious tapes, the viewer is never sure when he or she is watching the film or a tape within the film. The viewer feels like a voyeur - he or she the one spying on someone else's life. The film has a disorienting feel, and one is never sure how much or how little time has passed.

Don't expect all loose ends to be wrapped up. The film isn't really about the mystery of the tapes or the wife's questionable fidelity. Like many thrillers, it is not these outside forces that are important - instead, the film is about Laurent's psyche as manifested in these outside forces. Although sometimes the Hollywood film viewer in me longed for a little more closure, the film kept me on edge and defied many thriller clichés. I don't want to give anything away, so I won't say exactly how. I highly recommend this film - but not for a party.