Hidden [Blu-ray]

POSSIBLE SPOILER!This utterly brilliant film is one I’m constantly drawn to revisit. Other reviewers have noted the frustration of an unsatisfactory dénouement, but after minutely reappraising the final scene, I now believe director Michael Haneke may have cunningly provided some sort of conclusion.In the long and busy final scene on the school steps, we eventually see the young Pierrot being approached by Majid’s son. Initially, it seems the two know each other, but later their body language tends to suggest otherwise. Could it be possible that the clue to the mystery is in the unheard conversation the two are having? Now, thanks to the superb quality Blu-ray version of the film, most of the conversation can clearly be lip-read by those who have the skills.Sadly, this is where the story stops for this reviewer, as I know of no-one who can lip-read in French. That said, if anyone out there is able to do just that, we may have something of an answer to this intriguing tale. Alternatively, the two actors Lester Makedonsky and Walid Afkir will also know the secret of what’s being said. Dummy dialogue? Or secrets revealed?Roger Hopkins

German director Michael Haneke is not everyone's cup of tea. Like a number of European "auteurs" through film history, his movies tend towards the philosophical if not existential, and because of this they can be both exciting and infuriating in equal measure. The Piano Teacher had all the repressed sexuality of Belle de Jour at its best, yet his "Hollywood" re-make of horror-in-the-cabin-in-the-woods thriller Funny Games seemed unnecessary to say the least. Hidden is probably the movie he is most well-known for in both Europe and America and while not perfect - and the plodding plot and anxious silences are not the stuff of modern-day British and American thrillers for sure - the mood of the piece, and the brooding atmosphere of some terrible event to come, is to be admired here. Daniel Auteuil and Juliette Binoche deliver terrific performances as a couple with secrets, pasts and dilemmas all stored up and ready to burst forth the moment a series of videos of them and their home start appearing at the door. And if you do want to get all intellectual about it, the film is something of a commentary on our increasingly Facebook/Twitter/blogging-obsessed lives and how so little of what we hold as private and dear can be kept so in the modern age. But the movie is also just a great psychological thriller. Slow, meditative and self-conscious? Yes, and that's why it won't be everyone's idea of a Friday night picture with pizza. The film's shocking moment and denouement won't necessarily inspire all either, but cinema ought to be thoughtful and provocative at times as well as entertaining and forgettable at others. Whatever you might think of Haneke, his films are never the last of these descriptions.

Great product to have in original French in blu-ray. Enjoyable, twisty, Hitchcockian, and very creepy - and even more so in the modern era of social media and cyber-stalking as well!

Incredibly engrossing and intriguing. Kept me hooked all the way through. Superb acting, great writing and story. Although the film may not reach a suitable conclusion, which will bother some, it is more of a character study and it looks at how the situation effects a person (paranoia and all that). So don't go expecting everything to be wrapped up nicely in a ribbon, then you'll enjoy it more.The blu-ray itself is terrific, picture is great and really detailed.

Another masterpiece from the genius, Michael Haneke. The Blu-Ray transfer is brilliant. This is a film which demands repeat viewings, whether you like it or not!

What matters here is that the character motivations aren’t clear enough to evoke sympathy. We are also left with some long shots of irrelevant scenes that have no value. And that's part of the point of it all. The end is messy and neither works as a conundrum or as something that can be explained. In short, another disappointing thriller, but it has a lot of very good moments. Worth seeing for the sometimes clever settings that impart unease. There's quite a bit of satire here on a certain type of media person. You might recognise some of the people. The actual mystery might be guessed as it's hiding in plain sight right throughout. And if you want to know more about that, then you'll have to watch this!

Excellent just what I wanted. A great price and fast shipping form an excellent seller. Highly recommended A +++++++++++

Whether one likes this particular movie- or not, obviously, is a matter of a personal taste. Just do not expect to be thrilled by this "thriller". You are more likely to fall asleep. It is like watching Oslo to Bergen railroad... Long, monitors, with very few turns.

An amazing film, you have no clue where it is going as it unfolds. Some questions are answered but I had a lot of questions at the end. Juliette Binoche is fantastic in this. Creepy and insightful about the secrets we hide from others. The Blu-ray transfer is excellent and this is playable in Region A on North American Blu-ray players despite what the product information may say.

Very good blu-ray of a chilling, unsettling (and admittedly frustrating) film about a couple under surveillance by a mysterious observer. Outstanding performances, crisp cool direction. One of the best films in recent years.

Love this movie! Looks absolutely fantastic on blu! Be aware, only the movie will play- the special features won't play on USA blu Ray players. Kind of a drag- after watching the movie I really wanted to watch the special features.

The movie is superb and rates 5 stars.Amazon is remiss however in not telling potential U.S. buyers that, although the Blu Ray of the movie is region free, the extras are all on a PAL compatible disc that will not play on U.S. Region 1 Blu Ray players.Hopefully a U.S. Blu Ray edition is in the works.

A psychological thriller with a unique direction.