In 2002, auteur Gaspar Noé unleashed Irreversible on the world. The shocking psychological thriller depicts irrevocable acts of violence as two men seek vengeance for the woman they love. Originally, the film opened with a graphic murder only to episodically skip backward to discover the act that inspired such violence. Noé’s work is unapologetically aggressive, offensive, and visceral. His aim is not only to make you think but to feel.

In 2019 Noé shocked and divided audiences even further with the world premiere of IRREVERSIBLE: STRAIGHT CUT at the Venice Film Festival in 2019. This new cut of the film presents the story in chronological order. 4 minutes the lesser, IRREVERSIBLE: STRAIGHT CUT is a nether version of Noé’s original version. It is a powerful albeit demystified edit of a masterpiece.

Fair warning here, if you have not seen the original DO NOT CONTINUE READING.

Last warning.

This time around we open with the verdant park scape of an urban lawn. Alex (Monica Bellucci) wistfully considers motherhood after a positive pregnancy test. We then learn about her rather polyamorous relationship with her current boyfriend Marcus (Vincent Cassel) and well-to-do but fumbling ex Pierre (Albert Dupontel). While Alex is intimate with Marcus now, Pierre is friends with Marcus and amicable with both.

The three venture forth to a local house party in Paris. After drinks have been had and drugs have been done, Alex decides to head home. This fateful decision leads to her attack in a street underpass. Enraged, Marcus and Pierre vow to avenge the brutal attack.

IRREVERSIBLE: STRAIGHT CUT is a textbook example of the importance of editing. Written and directed by Noé, the story and style is there. Here Noé reconsiders his approach to telling a tragic story by recutting his original edit. Short answer, this new edit does not enhance the story. What IRREVERSIBLE: STRAIGHT CUT DOES do is highlight the importance of a good cut. Editing is a key element tht should never be dismissed.

A ‘director’s re-cut,  IRREVERSIBLE: STRAIGHT CUT is only for those who have been brutally disoriented by the original. While this new chronological edit is a capably crafted piece, it robs one of the ferocious disorientation of the original. Our advice is to see Gaspar Noé’s original 2002 version in a 2K digital restoration or 35mm print. Then circle back to see things play out as they did if you can stomach it.

6 out of 10