Could have been so much more (Heaven (DVD))

Member Name: paulie1975

Product:	Heaven (DVD)
Date:	26/06/09 (12 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very good cinematography

Disadvantages: Clumsy story too ambiguous

Heaven

Directed by Tom Tykwer, the german director of Run Lola Run and scripted by the famous Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski, this on paper should be a brilliant film. The script was written by Kieslowski to be directed by himself as part of a three part trilogy, Heaven, Hell and Purgatory, unfortunately he never had the chance to see this through.
Cate Blanchett plays Philippa, a British School teacher in Italy devastated by her husband's death from a drug overdose who becomes a terrorist, determined to blow up an Italian businessman she believes is dealing drugs to kids and killed her husband. She is caught by the police and learns that her bomb killed four innocent people instead of the man she wanted to kill. One of the policemen, Filippo (Giovani Ribisi) is so touched by her despair and clearly under her spell that he sets about finding a way to free her.

Once free (hold a degree of disbelief for this as it is not really realistic), Phillippa decides she wants to finish the job off and get rid of this villain once and for all. The pair then leave the city and travel into the Italian countryside to escape from their fate. Whilst hiding the pair learn about love, friendship and justice, the ending is ambiguous and you can make of it what you will.

Cast:


Cate Blanchett ... Philippa

Giovanni Ribisi ... Filippo
Remo Girone ... Filippo's Father
Stefania Rocca ... Regina
Alessandro Sperduti ... Ariel
Mattia Sbragia ... Major Pini
Stefano Santospago ... Mr. Vendice
Alberto Di Stasio ... The Prosecutor
Giovanni Vettorazzo ... The Inspector
Gianfranco Barra ... The Lieutenant
Vincent Riotta ... Chief Guard
Mauro Marino ... Doctor
Stefania Orsola Garello ... Vendice's Secretary
Fausto Lombardi ... Father High Rise
Giorgia Coppa ... Older Daughter

I watched this film hoping to see something of Kieslowski in it, while the central performances of Blanchett and Ribisi are excellent, the film doesn't quite work as it is not realistic and asks too manty unanswered questions without being subtle or thoughtful. I found the first half of the film exciting and we root for the couple to escape and fall in love, but the second half is difficult to watch, you consider the couple and their affair and wonder whether Phillipa can deal with her guilt and Fillipo can deal with his overwhelming desire to protect her, there is symbolism and imagery, is love heaven on earth can it overcome the most shattering feelings of guilt and shame? I can see what Kieslowski wanted to do in parts and see the parts he would not have written, under his stewardship the symbolism would perhaps have been much less heavy handed but Twtyker generally does a good job, his cinematography is good and the Italian countryside is the luscious star of the film.

I bought a copy on Ebay for £3.43

Summary: Could have been so much more