Reviews

Cache - New to DVD

During the special features of Cache a voiceover is heard, “There is not a single truth there are a thousand truths.” That really sums it up.

Talking about Cache and not ruining some aspect of it is tough. The film opens up with a shot of the house and the opening credits roll. Turns out what we’re seeing is not a shot of the house but a husband and wife watching an anonymous tape sent to them. What’s on the tape? Two hours of the front of their home. Sound suspenseful? It isn’t. Not at first anyway.

Cache sets the table by making all the characters deceitful and suspect. The director, Haneke, has some great ideas to run with but not a complete plan. Through the two hours of Cache I followed each character and their possible motivations. See, there’s not just one tape. They keep coming. Soon they’re accompanied with other clues. So with these clues and what I found out, little by little I was on the edge of my seat to find out who was behind all this.

Before I skip to the end I’d like to comment on the style of Cache. It’s impressive, you’ll feel more like a voyeur than a moviegoer. Partially due to the direction of the film, partially due to the acting, and a lot of the quality of the film left me feeling like I was on the other side of the camera. That is I didn’t feel like I was watching this family more so I was the one taping them.

Yes, Cache has style, a building suspense, a few surprises… and that’s about all I can say without giving anything away. If you want to know more read on. If you want to see the film ‘blind’ then stop and go rent Cache at Wild and Woolly. This is your last warning. Limited spoilers are coming.

I haven’t felt so unfulfilled at the end of a movie sense Suicide Club. And as I did with Suicide Club I sat through the credits hoping for some better explanation. Before I start getting emails saying I’m too stupid to notice the “meeting” at the end of the movie, I did. So what? All that gave me was another possibility. I don’t mind stories that leave the ending up to the viewer but sweet fucking Christ, at least tie up some of your loose ends.

I won’t spoil specific plot points of the movie so if you’re still interested knock yourself out. With twenty minutes left I got the sinking suspicion the ending was going to suck. You can say Haneke wanted the viewer to think about or discuss meanings, relationships, and possibilities. I think he had no idea how to end it. No idea. None. So instead the viewer is left with numerous options. Again, “There is not a single truth there are a thousand truths.”

The special features are thin. The typical trailer and thirty minute behind the scenes fare. While the special features provide some insight it wasn’t enough to make up how disappointing the ending was. It certainly isn’t enough for me to recommend renting Cache. For being heavy on the style and (in my opinion) light on substance Cache gets:
Movie 4/10
Special Features 3/10

Go to Wild and Woolly and rent Irreversible or I Stand Alone by Gaspar Noe. They’re not only better movies but more fulfilling stories… not to mention more disturbing than Cache.
Andy

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