It's not exactly a funny situation, however, the irony doesn't end with the title.

Based on the 1997 Austrian film of the same title, and once again written and directed by Michael Haneke, a family heads to their vacation home off a remote lake. Just when they think they are in for a fun filled time, two well cut well mannered young men arrive at their doorstep. Appearances are deceiving, as the two go from asking a friendly favor to holding the family hostage, and making a bet whether or not the family will live through the night.

Haneke, first and foremost, is an absolute genius. The man knows how to push buttons, and that's all this film is. It is a psychological evaluation of his audience, while attempting to push across how violent our society is and how we as a race seem to tolerate it.

The acting by all is nothing short of fantastic, specifically from the main protagonist Ann (Naomi Watts) and the main antagonist Paul (Michael Pitt). The blocking, camera work, set design, art direction and costume design are also perfect, much to the glee of the auteur Haneke.

There is a ton of juxtaposition involving the antagonists Paul and Peter (Brady Corbet). Not only do they look like the a-typical preppy rich kids, but they make a point to rub that in with their well mannered behavior. Well mannered to a rather sharp point. They seem to be a couple of deranged sociopaths who torture and kill people on the basis of shear boredom. However, even Paul breaks the fourth wall to ask the audience if they are in fact searching for plot structure. There is of course, none. This is pure cinema. Haneke might as well have been wearing white golf clothing while writing the script, because he doesn't just wink and nudge at the audience, he open hand slaps them in the face and laughs all the while.

Then we come to Paul and Peter's names or "names." You never truly come to know exactly who these two are, but they do seem to have an odd affection for one another. For instance, Paul continues to aggravate Peter by calling him tubby, though he really isn't. Another aspect is the fact that they have apostle names, which adds to the mountain of juxtaposition already in place. Do they kill in the name of God? An interesting foot note, none the less. It's hard to hate these characters despite all their wicked games.

It's hard to believe that this film will be liked by even the majority of those that watch it. It's made to affect and disturb, and for the filmmaker to laugh at you while you watch Americana self-destruct.

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