i sadly to say go with the latter . i only recently become interested in haneke work after view funny game and be completely hypnotize and blow away by the magnificent work . cache be enjoyable to me but i be hop for more and i have see plenty of european cinema and hundred and but the end be just too disappointing . i make it an effort to see every haneke film on dvd possible and start in chronological order i watch this film and be just utterly take aback by it instantly . i think to really comment on cinema one need to be objective and know history of film similar to this type of intense plod character ( in this case family ) study . to put it simply if it wasn not for be able to fast forward with subtitle still on i would have stop this film within 30 minute . the die hard film lover in me press on expect something important from this . let it be say and i never hear the hype surround this film nor do i view this imdb page until after i saw it . complete 100 % unbiased opinion and i think it be trash . i fully understand someone can argue the idea it be so plodding and boring be because it a film detail how monotonous a life in the 21st century can get . to me and he easily could have shorten the film down and hell this could have be a short film reel no more than 30 minute and get the point across . after scene after scene it become obvious to the viewer the style he be go for and eventually turn predictable . you get where he go with the film and just want the pay off already . it come and in my case i be leave wonder what a waste of time . film in the past have do a good and more remarkable job get across the point of alienation human can feel in modern society . well pacing and establish reason and emotion for character and not over indulge in film technique . instead this film display trite and mind numbingly boring imagery . one of the bad art house film i have ever see . a shame real fish have to die or suffer for this film . haneke be clearly an auteur and i can only hope his film get well with each successor .