Tuesday 21 September 2010

Heartless: A Low Budget, High Class Faust


You know, I’ve got to admit, there’s times I miss running pub quizzes, there really are.

Tuesday nights used to be the night I did the quiz over at the King Harold, in Harold Wood: used to be quite a bit of a blast, I can tell you.

And then there’s times when I don’t.

Especially as Movie Night Tuesday now seems to be something of an established tradition.

And especially when Movie Night Adrian digs up an interesting little find from the local library’s DVD collection.

Hang on, did I say little find … ?

I meant to say ‘absolute bloody gem’!

~≈†≈~

And it’s really a shame that Kevin D couldn’t join Squeaky, Movie Night Adrian and I for the 2009, Phillip Ridley directed, Jim Sturgess vehicle, Heartless.

He’s missed something of an undiscovered cracker!

I’m piling on the superlatives, aren’t I?

I think I have an excuse, though, with this film.

Heartless sees Jim Sturgess as Jamie Morgan, a young photographer who lives in a rough part of East End London: and one who feels incredibly isolated because of a heart shaped birthmark that covers his left eye.

And one who — after his mother is attacked and killed by a gang of demonic beings, and a friend - A. J, played by Noel Clarke - is killed in a gang attack — receives a mysterious phone call.

From the mysterious Papa B.

Who offers Jamie the the one thing he’s always wanted.

At a very steep price.

~≈†≈~

Phew … !

Nasty!!

Now, there’s probably a lot I could say about Heartless, I really could.

Tons and tons!

I mean, I could tell you that this is a very urban, gritty take on the various versions of Faust doing the rounds.

Which it is.

It’s also one that makes a very effective use of budget, is nicely acted — especially by Joseph Mawle, Eddie Marsan and Noel Clarke as Papa B, the Weapons Man and A. J. respectively — and ably written and directed.

Which is also true.

I could also tell you it’s possibly one of the most menacing films going, and achieves that with a comparatively little overt gore and a deft touch on the camera that focuses on how Sturgess — as Jamie — feels about being forced to kill both a random stranger and the woman he’s come to love. And being egged on by Belle — Nikita Mistry — while he’s at it.

Which is also very true.

I’m not, though.

I’m going to tell you one thing.

Go and watch Heartless.

You’re going to be in for a treat.

Heartless is a beauty!
Heartless.
★★★★

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