High Rise

High Rise depicts a 1970s oasis of pure madness. Set in a quintessential 1970s, insanely ugly, apartment building, with characters to match. In a twisting and original way the building soon descends to complete anarchy as is the British way, the water and power starts to fail. Although we love to complain as an indicative part of our central culture, this film soon elevates it to the highest floor, as murder, rape and all round disgusting acts take place. As the horror unfolds you are, of course, disgusted as a viewer but something strange happens as you are drawn deeper into the film. I think it has something to do with the cynical humour and all round ridiculous nature of the central events that almost elevates you to this madness, almost to a stage where this ultimate insanity becomes weirdly enjoyable to watch. And as you embrace this madness, by the end, you're left with a state of satisfaction, not horror or deep existential questioning, as you might expect from a film with such intriguing content. But I don't see this as a negative thing. In fact, I think it is on of the films greatest accomplishments, because it places the viewer in the perspective of the characters, it achieves that very rare ultimate immersion into the film. Just like the characters at the end, you not only feel implicit in the events that have occurred but, like them, there is is this weird pleasure associated with the violence that has just massacred the screen.

Because, like the characters, you have ultimately accepted the situation you've just been in.

In a sentence: Probably disturbing but more than that it's bloody brilliant.

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