Heartless (2009)

Heartless (2009)                                                3/5

Directed by Philip Ridley

Jim Sturgess, Clémence Poésy

In this British horror film, photographer Jamie Morgan (Jim Sturgess) shies away from others due to several large birthmarks which cover half of his face and his arm. While out taking photos one evening, he witnesses a group of strange creatures in hoodies attacking someone. As he discovers more about these creatures, he must deal with the consequences of the choices he makes, delving into a horrifically surreal world.

The plot feels very complete, but in a somewhat heavy-handed fashion. Many events seem like unnecessary additions in an attempt to add complexity. Ridley (who also wrote the film) manages to bring all plot elements to a satisfactory conclusion, however, tying everything together despite seeming convoluted at the outset. Every point is accounted for, but it seems that those points are unnecessarily numerous. It is also quite predictable, using a fairly standard story arc, but it does manage to successfully tell the story.

Thematically, there is a great deal of symbolism and richness. Themes of love, death, and beauty are all handled nicely. The script and its execution make for an intelligent subtextual dialogue.

Visually, the effects are nicely suited to the horror genre. The makeup for Jamie’s birthmarks has the perfect amount of subtlety, making them noticeable but not overly grotesque. The cinematography is executed nicely, adding to the rich themes as well as setting the mood of each scene. Lighting also plays a major role in the atmospheric impact of the film. The visuals are hampered, however, by intrusively cliché music at various points, which is particularly frustrating given that other scenes make effective use of silence. In this respect, the sound is uneven.

The performances are spectacular, aside from some pieces of unnecessary dialogue. Small, offhand lines meant to inform the audience of what is happening show up at several points, implying that the audience is incapable of following along otherwise. For example, when one character picks up a set of keys which have a distinctive keychain seen earlier in the film, the character reminds the viewer whose keys they are. Unnecessary dialogue aside, the acting is of a very high quality. Sturgess presents a fully realized character, adopting the idiosyncrasies of a nervous man who tries to hide one side of his face. Clémence Poésy does a wonderful job as Tia, Jamie’s love interest in the film. A special mention goes to Noel Clarke who plays Jamie’s neighbor A.J., injecting the perfect amount of charming, friendly humor into his character.

Overall, this is a decent horror film worth checking out during the Halloween season, particularly for fans of Jim Sturgess. Some unnecessary elements hold it back from being truly great, but with a complete story and thematic depth, it is still a good film.

This review was requested by Liz Patrick.

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