Softwing Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

InformationRap This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Patience Watson One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

Sienna-Rose Mclaughlin The movie really just wants to entertain people.

politicat The downside first: Stealing Heaven suffers from a low budget, a poor sound-track, and the film itself has not worn well. The colors are alternately too muted and too bright to be realistic. It does have the look of a low-budget, European 80's film. Consider yourself warned. That said, however, given the limitations, Stealing Heaven is one of the better portrayals of a neglected time and of an incredible pair of people. The story is based on the known facts of the love affair and marriage of Heloise and Abelard: that she studied with him (and new evidence calls into question the age difference between them), that he was celibate by custom, but not law, while he taught in Paris; that one or the other of them seduced the other; that Heloise refused marriage as a matter of principle, even after bearing Peter Abelard's child, an unthinkable act in the 12th century. That her uncle, not trusting Abelard, had him castrated, and that Heloise reluctantly entered a convent and made the best of it when Abelard requested it of her. There is a significant amount of speculation, because there is not a lot known, about their lives, and at the time of the making, less still than now. The pacing is typically European - and effective for the story. The romance between Heloise and Peter did not develop over night, and while it was effectively ended that way, their relationship endured in fits and starts. The true strength of this film is Heloise, as she appeared to have been in the real pairing. She's definitely a woman not fitted to her time, far more independently minded than many women would attain for nearly a thousand years. The students, too, are pleasant comic relief.

tfrizzell Long and silly would-be masterpiece that focuses on the forbidden 12th-Century romance of French historical figures Abelard (Derek de Lint) and Heloise (Kim Thomson). The first is a noted tutor/philosopher who teaches young men via Catholic doctrines while the latter is a seductive and youthful lady who comes to Paris to live with her uncle (Denholm Elliott of the "Indiana Jones" trilogy fame). Naturally the two have a teacher/student relationship at first, but we all know that their carnal lusts will soon take over with tragic results. Based entirely on fact, the movie plays more like a Shakespearean-styled soap opera of dull situations and duller results. The movie drags at a snail's pace and finally overcomes the novel's meanderings late, but by that time it was too late. Even the art direction and costume design look somewhat cheap and mediocre. 2 stars out of 5.

msporter I find myself in total agreement with BlackMonk. This is the ultimate philosophical love story. It attempts to answer the age-old question: What is the purpose of life? Is it to serve God, as Abelard thought, or to pursue happiness on Earth, as Heloise believed?The film makers do a brilliant job of setting up the dramatic conflict between these two views of life. The writing, dialogue, direction, and acting are all first rate. This is one of the greatest movies ever made, and one of history's greatest love stories! Kim Thompson should have received an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Heloise. She was Heloise.It amazes me that one little film gimmick, a feather, could be used so brilliantly to help answer one of life's eternal questions. Make sure you pay close attention to the opening scene, one of the greatest scenes in movie history.Enthralling!

Fuzzy-26 This romance is based on the real story of two lovers separated by the Catholic Church but bound by their hearts.Set in Paris during the building of Notre Dame, young Heloise is brought from a convent to live with her uncle, a solicitor for the cathedral building fund. Heloise is well-educated and spirited, a dangerous combination for a woman in this time. She meets Master Abelard, a teacher at the cathedral and they fall in love despite his vow of celibacy.The scandal of their love explodes when Heloise becomes pregnant. The sets and costume are quite convincing--if only the actors sounded more French than English.This is one of my favorite films despite the fact I have a book of some of Abelard's writings in which he displays a near-contempt for Heloise and those around him. A far cry from Derek de Lint's character.