Hidden Masterpiece

Michael Haneke's "Caché," which won him best director at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, is a disturbing psychological journey into the lives of a distraught and guilt-ridden talk show host named Georges (Daniel Auteuil), his deteriorating relationship with his wife, Anne (Juliette Binoche) and their distant son, Pierrot (Lester Makedonsky). \nThe trouble begins when Georges finds what becomes the first in a series of anonymous calls, drawing, and videotapes (which show only a far away shot of the front of his house). These things really pose no harm, but the anticipation of things to escalate and that the family might be in real danger increases the married couple's paranoia and fear. Georges is particularly shaken because the anonymous drawings make references to an Algerian boy his parents took care of when he was a little boy, which he also wronged (in ways that aren't too clear to the viewer). This forces Georges to dig deep into his past to figure out who's terrorizing him and his family and who's exposing him. \nStrange things continue to occur, and the connection to who might be behind the tapes becomes more and more indistinct. In the way that Georges keeps things from his family, the person videotaping him deprives him of the truth as well, and the damage is done through Georges's own confusion and thoughtlessness. The identity of the person or persons harassing Georges is not disclosed openly, and some people might become frustrated with this lack of resolution, but the director does leave one last bit of information that's helpful in formulating a conclusion. \nIn the "Caché" special features interview, director Michael Haneke describes his fascination with reality and truth, and how it's all determined by perspective. More importantly, he wants viewers to question their own perspectives when watching the film. It's impressive and refreshing when a director can get audiences to become that involved with the plot of the film, and the last shot leaves things open so that viewers have the opportunity to really decide for themselves. \nIn addition to the psychological themes, "Caché" also contains racial nuances, which surround Georges. Daniel Auteuil gives a fantastic performance as the overwhelmed, irritable, and detached Georges, as does Juliette Binoche as his distressed wife. The DVD features an insightful interview with director Michael Haneke and a 30-minute behind the scenes documentary of "Caché"