The Art is Horrifying Above Most Things
Asia Argento has got her father's knack for horror. Sure, there are no limbs being severed as someone falls through broken glass, but the domestic horrors depicted in "The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things" are on par with the finest of her father's work. The film tells the story of Jeremiah. Raised by foster parents until the age of 7. Reclaimed by his abusive, alcoholic mother. Raped by her boyfriend. Abandoned by his mother. Claimed by his abusive, Christian grandparents.
Its not an easy life for Jeremiah. The kindest gesture toward him in the entire film is a police officer giving him ice cream as he waits for his foster parents to pick him up at a police station after running away from home.
The film's masochistic aesthetic is achieved through Eric Alan Edwards' (My Own Private Idaho) masterful 16mm cinematography. Well, that and Argento's willingness to put the camera right in harm's way. Marilyn Manson does a turn as an abusive boyfriend in what is easily one of the most fully-realized, horrifying moments in the film.
Peter Fonda and Ornella Muti (Flash Gordon) as the grandparents are equally terrifying. Twins Dylan and Cole Sprouse have come a long way from playing Adam Sandler's kid in "Big Daddy". They are heartbreaking in their disaffected performances and somehow manage to fan the tiny flame of hope that flickers intermittently throughout the film.
Above this entire cast, however, Argento shines brightest, or perhaps, tarnishes darkest. Her Sarah defines dysfunction and provides the catalyst for most of this film's horrors. If Argento didn't give such a performance, the film would seem entirely exploitative. She, however, is in the trenches with the rest of the cast--deeper than most--and manages to make a challenging yet engaging film.
Side note:
Pair this film with "The Pillowman" and you'll have a pretty good treatise on abuse and reasons not to have children.
Varsity Theater 7:00, 9:15
4329 University Way NE
781-5755
