Caché (2005)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Michael Haneke

Writer:

Michael Haneke (screenplay)

Release Date:

5 October 2005 (France)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

A married couple is terrorized by a series of videotapes planted on its front porch that may be the direct result from an event from years ago.

Plot Keywords:

Drawing | Paris | Videotape | Algerian | Childhood

Awards:

21 wins & 22 nominations

Cast

Daniel Auteuil	...	Georges Laurent
Juliette Binoche	...	Anne Laurent
Maurice Bénichou	...	Majid
Annie Girardot	...	Georges's Mom
Bernard Le Coq	...	Georges's Editor-In-Chief
Walid Afkir	...	Majid's Son
Lester Makedonsky	...	Pierrot Laurent
Daniel Duval	...	Pierre
Nathalie Richard	...	Mathilde
Denis Podalydès	...	Yvon
Aïssa Maïga	...	Chantal
Caroline Baehr	...	Nurse
Christian Benedetti	...	Georges's Father
Philippe Besson	...	TV Guest
Loic Brabant	...	Police Officer No. 2 (as Loïc Brabant)

Also Known As:

Hidden (International: English title) (UK)
Niente da nascondere (Italy)

MPAA:

Rated R for brief strong violence.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

France | Austria | Germany | Italy | USA

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Sweden:15 | Brazil:16 | UK:15 | Czech Republic:15 | Norway:15 | Ireland:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Finland:K-15 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Netherlands:16 | Singapore:NC-16 | Germany:12 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Argentina:13 | Japan:PG-12 | Australia:MA | Hungary:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Italy:T | Iceland:16 | South Korea:15 | New Zealand:R16 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company:

Les Films du Losange

Trivia:

A poster for "Ma Mere" starring Isabelle Huppert, star of Haneke's "The Piano Teacher" can be seen outside a movie theater.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the opening scene we see the Laurent residence from a stationary camera. Three roses are visible in a window box on the left. In the same setting late in the film after much passage of time, the roses are unchanged and in the same positions.

Movie Connections:

References In Hell (2003)

Candid camera

Out of France comes one of the most satisfying films in a while. "Cache" is a film that will, if nothing else, make the viewer think about what he is watching on the screen. Is it real, or is it Georges' conscience coming to grips with the injustice he played on Majid, the poor Algerian orphan whose parents were killed tragically a few years before?

Michael Haneke's direction has a way to make us accomplices in watching what is happening to Georges and his family. Mr. Haneke shows us images that are disturbing, but in the context of the film work well with the mystery he has created. After all, we are being shown videos taken of Anne and Georges' house by a hidden camera that is nowhere in sight? How are these tapes are being filmed? They all point out to the guilt that is consuming this successful Georges, whose actions have caused a lot of pain to an innocent boy that needed compassion. There are also political implications in the film as it points out to the conflict with Algeria of the sixties. The French are not exempt from the racism and injustice they caused in the past.

The key to understanding this movie is to pay attention carefully to all the clues one is given in the film. The ending scenes reveal a lot of what one keeps suspecting throughout the movie. It also points out how Georges, after many years of living with a terrible burden, comes to be reminded of the harm he caused.

Daniel Auteuil makes the film more enjoyable. This actor goes from being a television celebrity into a man whose confidence begins to betray him. Mr. Auteuil is probably the main reason for seeing the film because he is registering everything that is going on and reacting in the way Georges would without conveying to us he is that man in turmoil on the screen. This is one of his best achievements in the cinema.

Juliette Binoche, on the other hand, doesn't have as much to do in the movie. Yes, her Anne is compassionate and loyal, but is she all we think she is, or is she having an affair with another man? Let the viewer arrive at his own conclusion, which by the way, Mr. Haneke seems to be doing the same to us, the viewers.

Maurice Benichou and Walid Afkir play Majid and his son. Lester Makedonsky is seen as Pierrot, the young boy who seems to play a larger role in the mystery that is happening at home. The great Annie Girardot appears briefly as Georges' mother, who is confined to her home. Ms. Girardot is equally evasive when her son tells her about his dreams about Majid, the boy she would have adopted, had not Georges' tricks entered the picture.

All in all, "Cache", will stay in our imagination for some time to come. The brilliant cinematography of Christian Berger contributes to our enjoyment. Michael Haneke directed with tremendous panache this thoroughly compelling movie.