The Lawless Heart
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Movie Reviews of The Lawless Heart
Movie Review: If you have a multi-reiongal DVD, get the British version
Summary: 5 Stars
The British version of this DVD comes not only with directors' commentary, but with deleted scenes that are also accompanied by commentary. Why First Look produced such a bare bones DVD when a much more complete one is available is beyond me. If you have a DVD player than can play PAL region 2 DVD's, then you'll want to get this movie elsewhere.Movie Review: Uniquely Engaging Relationship Film
Summary: 4 Stars
Stuart has died in a boating accident, leaving his sister Judy (Ellie Haddington) to sort out his money and his lover Nick (Tom Hollander) to manage the restaurant that they owned. Judy's husband Dan (Bill Nighy) wonders if he would be happier if he had an affair, and he wonders what being happier might mean. Nick isn't sure if he should stick around or move to London where he has friends, and he seeks consolation in a dysfunctional but lively woman named Charlie (Sukie Smith). Tim (Douglas Henshall), who was a childhood friend of Stuart's, has returned to town in time for the funeral. Tim has always been an errant hippie of sorts, but now he has found a woman with whom he'd like to settle down, only to find that she loves his adoptive brother David (Stuart Laing)."Lawless Heart" is a film about relationships and the decisions that they entail, told three times from three different perspectives. My description of the film may make it sound like a soap opera, and perhaps it is in the most basic sense. But "Lawless Heart" is, for the most part, understated and lacks the melodrama of pulp fiction. Tom Hunsinger and Neil Hunter both wrote and directed the film. Their decision to tell the story from three different points of view and through three different experiences sets "Lawless Heart" apart from many other movies that explore interpersonal relationships in that the differences in perspective and what people don't know about one another become central to the film. As soon as we realize that we are seeing the same set of circumstances from a different point of view, the audience focuses on the divergence of the perspectives and looks for new information that might fill in the gaps left by the other perspectives. In this way, "Lawless Heart" engages the audience more than films of this genre generally do. The three different perspectives that we observe are those of Dan, Nick and Tim. The story takes place over the course of a few weeks and focuses on three events: Stuart's funeral, Tim's party, and Judy's birthday. "Lawless Heart" has a nice symmetry, and watching the same three events three times doesn't seem repetitive. Fans of true-to-life films about interpersonal relationships will enjoy "Lawless Heart"'s multi-perspective twist and admirable dramatic performances.
Movie Review: The Hunter is a Lonely Heart
Summary: 5 Stars
?Lawless Heart? is a very quiet, contemplative film that deals with the emotional aftermath of losing a loved one. In this case, Nick (Tom Hollander) must sort out his feelings as well as the monetary and family things of coping with the loss of his longtime boyfriend, Stuart.The order of the day in this film is calm, deeply felt emotion that makes itself known, not through over-the-top crying jags or chest pounding melodrama, but from truthful scenes of regret and fondly recalled memories.
?Lawless Heart?s? plot is revealed through the eyes of three people: the aforementioned Nick and his friends Dan and Tim. This is not a ?Rashomon? style film though, as in that film the same incident is told from several perspectives while in this one, Nick, Dan and Tim recall the road that brings them to and beyond Stuart?s funeral. Each story is colored with the indelible stamp of personality and with the same humanity that infuses the entire film.
Directors Tom Hunsinger, Neil Hunter, their screenwriter and actors have created a film filled with hope and respect. And in particular, Tom Hollander as Nick unforgettably manages to weather the emotional storm of the film with grace, humor and compassion despite all the negative baggage that is thrust upon him.
Movie Review: superb film
Summary: 5 Stars
A tremendous story, set in rural Essex, of the aftermath of a death, seen consecutively through the eyes of three of the characters. First you see it through the Father's eyes, then through the other-half's, and then through a third person, each time seeing the same incidents and scenes from a slightly different perspective and with more becoming apparent - and yet despite it looking at the story three times, it never palls. Some excellent scenery, beautifully filmed, and an insight into how different people get something different out of every situation.