Heartless

Philip Ridley, the mind-boggling auteur behind "The Passion of Darkly Noon" and "The Reflecting Skin," has been missing in action from the cinematic world for too many years. Divisive and perplexing, these two films were declared brilliant in some camps and incomprehensible in others. But, I think that's why I like Ridley. You'll definitely have an opinion on his work. I was excited by the prospect of a new Ridley piece, and "Heartless" met most of my expectations. In some ways, "Heartless" is perhaps the most accessible of Ridley's films. A interesting commingling of urban horror, Faustian drama, and dementia, "Heartless" is a dark and brooding take on the world in decline. Shot from an almost apocalyptic world view, there is an unrepentant bleakness to "Heartless" that makes the case that violence and chaos are necessary evils to keep society in check.

Jim Sturgess plays London photographer Jamie Morgan. Morgan has a large heart-shaped birthmark covering half his face, and this affliction has kept him somewhat insulated from a traditional social life. The first third of "Heartless" plays most conventionally as horror as the city is besieged by attacks that might be otherworldly in nature. After a traumatic personal loss, things take a shift when Morgan has the opportunity to make a "deal with the devil" for a chance at normalcy. And as grand as that may seem, it comes at a cost he may be unable to pay. Becoming a more active participant in life may make him complicit in its grotesqueries. As with other Ridley films, there are elements of fantasy and surrealism and different viewers may interpret things differently.

I've remained purposely vague about most of the film's plot, it's best to let it unfold naturally. I suspect many may not like "Heartless" with its shifts in tones and its open-endedness. I, however, thought the film took some familiar concepts (like the aforementioned Faustian drama) and presented them in visually interesting ways. London has never looked so scary, and the unsettling art design throughout is a major selling point to establishing a nightmarish mood. Sturgess is perhaps the film's strongest component, believable at every stage of Morgan's harrowing journey. Gorgeous, dark and intense, "Heartless is definitely not for everyone, but I think those that enjoy it will enjoy it very much. I hope there isn't another fifteen year interval before we see Ridley directing again! KGHarris, 12/10.

I'm a huge Jim Sturgess Fan and have nearly all of his movies. This was a indie film from the UK that received very little press stateside. An excellent psychological thriller about a young man facing some challenges. Not at all what I expected when I sat down to watch it. Sturgess contributes several songs to the soundtrack and if you ever saw "Across the Universe" you know he has an excellent voice! Give this movie a watch!

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