Heartless (Review)

Jamie is a sweet young guarded lad who remains close to his family amid a community paralysed by fear. A large heart-shaped birthmark on his face keeps him away from public gatherings for fear of scrutiny and gasps of shock, still more birthmarks that pepper his torso have seemingly put paid to any thoughts of impromptu streaking.

Jamie is a keen photographer, something of a family tradition with both his late Father, his brother and nephew all hooked. It is when taking a few happy snaps on the way home late one evening that Jamie takes a few candids of the wrong dudes as they indulge in some anti-social activities. After being spotted Jamie realises that these hooded reckless youths are not human at all, but snarling and screaming demons of some kind.

This new development is a little perturbing, but Jamie keeps this news to himself, at least initially.

Things change when only nights later these same inhuman creatures surround Jamie and his Mum at a bus stop.

Mum is killed.

No longer able to hide his secret, Jamie tells one and all of the presence of these evil beings to no avail. No-one will listen to what they believe are the ramblings of the grief stricken. Jamie befriends a next door neighbour AJ. AJ listens eventually, but by then it is too late.

Too late for AJ anyway.

Finally Jamie manages to find someone who will listen to him, unfortunately that someone is a strange Marilyn Manson / Nine Inch Nails amalgam with a pre-teen Indian ‘spirit guide’ assistant (muse?).

Actually having someone pay attention and show empathy is a relief for Jamie, even if that someone looks more like a heavy metal roadie than a trustworthy confidante. Jamie and this strange man make a pact, which at least initially seems to work in Jamie’s favour…

Heartless is similar to Kill List and The Revenant in that it sports a different tone and feel to most other films in the genre. Unlike The Revenant it manages to maintain this tone and originality until the end, and while the ending is a little similar to other film’s at least it didn’t end on a total headscratcher like Kill List (seriously how hard must it have been to organise all that?).

About every quarter hour something happens in Heartless to alter the direction of the film, usually just when you managed to catch up to the last development. While these all don’t work perfectly the film boasts a couple of scenes that will likely remain with the viewer for days after.

The film is ambitious, bold and confusing – not necessarily in a bad way mind you – and I’d rather not understand everything that goes on in a challenging and unique two hours than fawn over the latest shit just because it has pasty vampires, subtitles or is based upon (boring) true events.

Heartless takes the best traits of Constantine (under-rated by the way), Angel Heart and Attack the Block (over-rated by the way) and forges these disparate elements into something wholly unique and compelling.

It ain’t a world-beater, but it sure is interesting.

Final Rating – 7.5 / 10. Unlike almost anything you will have seen in recent years, Heartless is a film worthy of rewatching.

About OGR

While I try to throw a joke or two into proceedings when I can all of the opinions presented in my reviews are genuine. I don't expect that all will agree with my thoughts at all times nor would it be any fun if you did, so don't be shy in telling me where you think I went wrong... and hopefully if you think I got it right for once. Don't be shy, half the fun is in the conversation after the movie.
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