After the worldwide success of his 2005 masterpiece Hidden (Cache), Haneke here concentrates on giving what he sees as comfortable, middle of the road audiences a shock to the system. He is really asking the question ‘what should film entertainment be’? as much as Jarry and Pirandello questioned the role of theatre 100 years ago.
Therefore a lot of people are going to find themselves feeling very angry coming out of Funny Games. There is no tidy and happy ending (it’s actually utterly immoral), and frequently characters turn directly to the camera to ask the audience questions. It’s just one of the ways in which the writer/director tries to upset conventions.
It’s beautifully shot and impeccably cast: Tim Roth and Naomi Watts are George and Ann, the perfect parents of the angelic Georgie (Devon Gearhart). Haneke always calls his central couple George and Ann. Their weekend retreat at their stunning lakeside holiday home is interrupted by two well-dressed and impeccably mannered young men (Brady Corbet and Michael Pitt) who initially come to their door to borrow some eggs but have intentions that are far darker than anyone might imagine.
Bottom line is: if anybody turns up at your house asking to borrow some eggs, do not waste time, call the police…I mean really, if you don’t have eggs you can certainly do without, unless you are pregnant and craving, so if you insist it must be an excuse for something darker…funny games!