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Michael Haneke Plays Funny Games With Naomi Watts
Writer-director returns to the scene(s) of an earlier crime
(Page 2)
MM: Why, specifically, Naomi Watts? She’s obviously quite talented, but surely there are other actresses who could have played the role?
MH: I’d seen her in a number of films, and she’s one of the few performers who can really negotiate through extreme psychological situations. If you look at her work in 21 Grams or Mulholland Drive, she’s quite extraordinary, and the movie really revolves around someone who can pull that off. So she was my first and only choice. That isn’t the first time that’s happened, however. I wouldn’t have made The Piano Teacher (2001) with anyone but Isabelle Huppert; I wouldn’t have made the film at all if she’d said no, frankly. It wasn’t a story I’d come up with but an adaptation of a novel, and those sort of projects tend not to interest me. But I wanted to work with her, so… you do what you have to, right? (laughs)
MM: Right. The fact that Funny Games U.S. is in English—and stars Naomi Watts—means that this will probably reach a larger audience than the original. But because of the nature of the film itself, do you honestly think the large multiplex audience you’re targeting will go and see this?
MH: I hope so. I’m gambling on it, aren’t I? (laughs)
MM: Warner Independent Pictures became involved after production had already begun. I’m assuming someone at the studio had seen the original and knew what they were getting into?
MH: I would hope so. But the mindset of those who run movie studios… that’s far beyond my limited comprehension. (laughs) Working with the studio has been okay, though the production itself… that wasn’t so pleasant. All the unions you have to deal with make the whole apparatus around filming way too huge to manage. I’m used to the European way of filmmaking, in which you can do set-ups quickly and work with a smaller crew. Here, it’s way too cumbersome. It was an experience I don’t plan on repeating.
MM: Having seen both films back to back, I have to say that—even though the shot set-ups and story are identical—the U.S. version’s actors give vastly different performances than their predecessors. Once you start concentrating on what they bring to these roles, you really do see a different movie.
MH: I agree. That was the intriguing part of remaking it, really—to see what this cast would bring to the table. I’ve always said that the best part of making movies is working with actors. Some of them did take a look at the original beforehand, naturally, to see what they were getting into. But I told everyone: Do not watch it again once we start filming. The tendency would be to either slavishly imitate or base an entire performance on being reactive to the original. You know, to be different just for difference’s sake. I didn’t want marionettes; I wanted people who would contribute.
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COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT 
- Comment by Kaela on 4/01/08 at 8:26 pm
I spent 16 dollars on this movie. It was boaring and predictable. Not interesting or thirlling. A waste of my time and money. I don’t know how I would get ahold of someone to get my money back but If anyone knows please contact me.
- Comment by Dave on 5/24/08 at 3:31 am
i want to see a movie about a canal boat holiday
....is a great way to combine tranquility with activity in a vacation- Comment by john evo on 6/20/08 at 12:38 pm
How Kaela could describe this movie as either “boring” or “predictable” is beyond me. The only way you could find it predictable, apparently, is if you saw the original. It was a deeply disturbing movie. A movie you think even more about the next day than when you saw it. I think of it as an exercise in setting up audience expectations, over and over, and then delivering something quite different. This is not your typical format, and is why the movie is anything but “predictable”.
- Comment by Warhammer Online on 6/28/08 at 3:41 pm
Seems interesting.
- Comment by nicky on 7/14/08 at 6:59 am
This videoclip does not work
- Comment by New Movies Trailer on 7/20/08 at 9:41 pm
This movie was pretty good. I like the performances by Tim Roth and Naomi Watts. It was really thrilling and scary at times, but that’s what movies are all about. After watching the movie I gotta give it a 7.5/10 and recommend it to people who enjoy thrillers/horror movie. A little drama in it too.
- Comment by john evo on 7/20/08 at 9:51 pm
I’d have to go with a solid 8 on the movie and I’d lean toward 9. I saw it over a month ago, have probably seen 20 movies since, and yet still reflect back on it. I’m definitely going to watch his original European version of it at some point. If it was available on Netflix Instant Play list I’d watch it right now. Watts and Roth were indeed good. Don’t underestimate the two young actors who played the psychos. Sorry I don’t know their names, but they were chilling - and that means they did a good acting job!
- Comment by Jigsaw Games on 8/30/08 at 7:58 am
Great stuff.. I need to check this up for sure.Thanks a lot for sharing this.!
- Comment by norfolk broads boating holidays on 10/08/08 at 1:42 am
Thanks for the information you mentioned here, It’s very useful. I’ve already bookmarked it. My friend will be so happy to read that. Cheers ;)
- Comment by Identity Theft on 10/10/08 at 7:56 am
Couldn’t be written any better. Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
compare credit report- Comment by Royal Caribbean Cruises on 12/05/08 at 3:02 pm
The movie sounds pretty nice. I can’t wait to see it. The plot is very interesting and captivating. I don’t know if I have ever seen such a good movie. Thank you very much for the information provided.
- Comment by Funny Sayings collection on 1/10/09 at 4:00 am
I’ve found this article beeing very useful. Thank you
- Comment by admin on 1/13/09 at 3:42 am
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- Comment by casininio on 2/22/09 at 2:10 pm
Naomi Watts is a real angel
- Comment by Runescape Ebook on 4/17/09 at 1:50 pm
It was a good movie to watch, Naomi Watts did good in that movie. Good piece of article!
- Comment by Free Online Television on 4/24/09 at 4:18 pm
Naomi Watts is one of my favorites! Great review on this!
- Comment by Erbs Palsy Information on 5/05/09 at 10:27 am
Naomi is still beautiful even in her years.
- Comment by Web Design Malaysia on 5/26/09 at 4:00 pm
Very good review on Naomi Watts, such a great actress.
- Comment by online oyun on 7/19/09 at 3:18 pm
Naomi Watts is wonderful
Great review on this
- Comment by tia on 9/24/09 at 12:19 am
the writer for this movie is very disturbed. Its pathetic. The only thing they have done is put sadistic thoughts like theirs into troubled minds. this writer and the people involved in this project need help...they make the characters look like idiots. I never even write reviews...but this movie is totally unnecessary..worst acting in scenario ever!!!Im in film so I now know not to ever work with the people involved with this film
- Comment by Aaron on 1/09/10 at 2:08 am
Please do not watch this movie. It’s pointless, disturbing, and just fucking awful. Worst movie i’ve ever seen. EVER.
- Comment by Funny Pictures on 4/14/10 at 12:23 pm
I’d play funny games with Naomi Watts if you know what I mean… *wink* *wink* *nudge* *nudge*
- Comment by Lea Wilkins on 8/10/10 at 7:58 am
This movie is not really interesting because the story is not made well. But there are some lines of the story that has message but still not enough.
- Comment by firmalar on 11/25/10 at 6:13 am
Naomi Watts, omg she is so adorable!
- Comment by JAMES Bent on 10/31/11 at 8:01 am
I also enjoyed this movie a lot, I found it entertaining and full of suspense. I initially had low expectations because of the bad reviews but I was pleasantly surprised. I’m not the kind of person that would normally sit through a boring movie, I play aBttlestar Galactica online so I like action and excitement, and this movie gave me just that.
- Comment by NeilKirchoff on 12/18/11 at 6:21 pm
Pretty decent movie if you ask me! As James said before me I too had low expectations but surprisingly I enjoyed it. I have to admit I played Jewel Quest 2 the entire movie but this is a good thing! I normally play something more complex is I wouldn’t enjoy the movie. Jewel Quest is an amazing game and I remember I saw it in a movie once and the main character was playing it to solve a riddle.
This story was published in the Winter 2008 MovieMaker Magazine. The headline was:
Match Point
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