A cult gem (Man Bites Dog (DVD))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Man Bites Dog (DVD)
Date:	17/09/09 (3 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Superb and daring

Disadvantages: Too dark for some

note: also appears in part on Flixster and The Student Room

The French are always known for their superb and inventive, from the French New Wave in the 1950s, but in 1992, they released a film that stands as one of their best - Man Bites Dog, a scathing look at the unscrupulous media, and also a visceral film on its own merits that pulls absolutely no punches. Rémy Belvaux was certainly a talent to watch following the film's release, but sadly committed suicide a few years ago.

The film opens as we meet a camera crew following Benoit around - a seemingly genial young man who is very talented at numerous things and also seems healthy from a social perspective. However, he is actually a serial killer, and the camera crew follow him on his rampage. What's fascinating about this film is how the camera crew simply observe his actions without intervening as they become more and more depraved. Benoit is also quite a philosophical man, and at length explains why he does what he does, and why he has no line to cross - he'll kill men, women, and even children indiscriminately and seemingly without remorse also.

This is an immensely daring film with a cracking concept - the idea is beyond controversial, and it's no surprise that it never really gained much of an audience beyond the realms of cult lauding. It's supremely directed, though, and is also a valid commentary on the increasingly blood-thirsty state of the media.

This film is absolute genius, and arguably the greatest example of cinema verite film techniques. This is an extremely dark comedy, and the relationship between the hitman and the camera crew is pretty interesting. Things take a turn for the macabre as the body count stacks up, and the ending is truly excellent. A cult classic and a highly important film that everyone should see.

Summary: A dark odyssey into the dark side of the media