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Apr 29, 2018howeshound rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
One of those self-consciously intellectual movies that never comes close to realizing its lofty aims and winds up wallowing in pretentiousness. Dialogue designed to be heavily freighted with 'meaning' manages to be nothing more than dull and scrappy. A plot intended to keep us on the edge of our seats and titillate our minds is hopelessly contrived when it isn't just confused. Acting is mediocre. An interview with director Haneke in the extras manages to irritate even more as he puffs himself up with his cleverness and talks about America cinema in a smugly condescending manner. Yes, mainstream American cinema is full of trash, as is mainstream cinema of every country. But if you're going to try to create cinematic art, try to remember that great art conceals itself, it doesn't blow its own trumpet.