Calvaire (2004)
If ever there was a “slow burn” flick this is it. Writer-director Fabrice Du Welz is one of the most criminally overlooked masters of the horror genre. Du Welz doesn’t go for the juggler, he goes for the mind. His films are slow burners that require more than one viewing but are well worth the time investment. Du Welz’s films burrow under your skin and you find yourself thinking about them weeks after viewing them. A few years back I reviewed his 2008 film, VINYAN. This was set against the backdrop of the tsunami that hit in the early 2000s. VINYAN is moody, creepy, scary, and the entire film has the heavy atmosphere that some really bad shit is going to happen. It’s not a film for everyone but those who were patient and who were familiar with Du Welz were greatly rewarded with one of the best films of that year.
CALVAIRE, which translates to “The Ordeal”), is Du Welz’s first feature length film. I caught the film on Netflix (they only offer the DVD and aren’t streaming it). Netflix likened CALVAIRE to TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE. They couldn’t be further off the mark!! This film is nothing like TCM and I understand why people who rented it solely on this description were pissed. CALVAIRE is to TCM what WALKER: TEXAS RANGER is to TCM!! With CALVAIRE we get something wholly unique. In the beginning of the film you’ll think you know exactly where everything is headed but Du Welz quickly throws in some curveballs that’ll grab you and make you realize you’re watching something special.
Laurent Lucas stars as Marc, a singer traveling between gigs whose car breaks down deep in the Belgium countryside, which is surrounded by dense woods. Not too far away Marc finds a B&B run by Bartel (Jackie Berroyer). Bartel is a likable guy who is personable and seems to genuinely enjoy Marc’s company. Bartel, who when younger was a comedian, and Marc hit it off as Bartel reminisces about his days in show biz. He also fondly tells Marc stories about his wife, who left him many years ago. Bartel seems charming and completely harmless.
At first.
I will admit that I didn’t care for CALVAIRE after my first viewing. But then I found myself thinking about it almost a week after I saw it. So I watched it again and was completely absorbed by the many details that slipped past me on my previous viewing. Like I mentioned above, CALVAIRE is the very epitome of a “slow burn” film. Those seemingly insignificant details in the film (you’ll know what I’m referring too) are what makes this film so amazing. But don’t expect to see a torture-porn flick here. Hell, even Netflix describes this one as being “bloody.” Du Welz doesn’t go for gore in his films. He wants to get under your skin and make you think about his films days, weeks after you watch them. What CALVAIRE lacks in gore in more than makes up for in being disturbing. Very disturbing. What we have here is a study in madness. Not a stark raving, bat shit crazy, eyes rolling in your head madness. Du Welz explores the kind of madness that envelopes a person like a dark cloud. A madness that develops through being alone with one’s thoughts for too long. A madness where those thoughts turn dark after realizing one’s failures and losses.
filmmaker Fabrice Du Welz
Bartel is crazy, that’s for sure. But what’s so terrifying is that he’s an “everyday” kind of crazy. He is completely functional and coherent. The portrayal of madness here is brilliant. Is it rooted in loneliness? In the fact that his wife left him? Did he even actually have a wife? This movie is so subtle that you need to see it at least twice to catch all the nuances of the plot. You will get shivers down your spine when Bartel finally snaps on Marc. Friggin’ frightening. At the same time Bartel’s madness becomes obvious and blatant we learn more about the little town he lives near. Everyone seems to be off their rockers! Is it the isolation and loneliness?
CALVAIRE is a brilliant movie. But do yourself a favor and watch this movie at least twice. It’s an intense, dark, and disturbing movie that you’ll be thinking about days after you see it. Not to be missed!!
My Summary:
Director: Fabrice Du Welz (& co-writer with Romain Protat)
Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Gore: 2 out of 10 skulls
Zombie Mayhem: 0 out of 5 brains
Reviewed by Scott Shoyer
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