Protraph
Lack of good storyline.
Comwayon
A Disappointing Continuation
Doomtomylo
a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.
Bluebell Alcock
Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies
BA_Harrison
Here's a fun one: an hour and a half of harrowing drama charting the physical and mental abuse of a young boy, Jeremiah, at the hands of his neglectful mother (Asia Argento), her white trash lovers, and her religious extremist family. Not exactly a barrel of laughs!The second film to be directed by Asia Argento, daughter of horror legend Dario, The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things isn't concerned with a strong narrative, it's purpose merely to catalogue the atrocities poor Jeremiah endures at the hands of grown-ups, delivering the message that the world can be a messed up place where the innocent and helpless suffer the most.It's bleak, relentless and, above all, honest film-making, handled with surprising assuredness by Argento, who even manages to throw in some offbeat and surreal touches towards the end in order to illustrate the fragile mental states of Jeremiah and his mother. Some of these did, admittedly, leave me a little perplexed, especially the crying lumps of coal that bled (seriously, this needs to be seen to be believed!), some animated red crows, and Jeremiah being dressed as a girl much to the confusion of Marilyn Manson (and me).
carlesmiquel
Asia Argento keeps the tradition of her father's fantastically crazy, brutal and experimental films. She knows how to deal with the darkness, the horror of something people wouldn't even dare to talk about. With a cast that really works, Asia Argento brings a truthful film, a brutal film to ponder about three things: Love, lust and loneliness. All with a sprinkle of religious fanaticism, drugs and deeply disturbed minds.Acting is, by all means, what makes this film so strong. All performances are brilliant. The "experimental", almost child-like cinematography is unnerving and spot-on. The music and all the other elements in sound design are equally chilly. The fact that a little boy is involved in the film, makes it more disturbing. Asia Argento (I suppose) played the main role because I guess it wouldn't be easy to ask any other one to do so in America. I hope no American director or writer will even try to do a re-make of this film, because it's pure giallo in the 2000's, and that's a big thing. Sure, it's a hellraiser for many, but it absolutely shines as what it was intended to be. Many people may not like these sort of genre (giallo is a genre in itself) and will be repelled even by the idea of watching it. So don't. But for people who like European films that usually are honest and brutal, well... you won't easily find anything in this era made in the US so giallo :)Thumbs up for Asia... she's always been a great actress (even when she was pretty young, she appeared in some of her dad's films), a great writer and a daring director.
imdb-21558
I think this is the worst film I have ever seen. I am amazed to read a positive review of it on IMDb. It's the story of a young boy with a junkie hooker mother and abusive grandparents who gets dragged, pushed and pulled from one horrendous situation to the next. It's a tale of abuse - in all it's forms. In my opinion, it was child abuse to even put a child actor through the scenes they filmed.Depressing, horrific, disgusting, unpleasant. I don't see what was achieved or expressed by that movie. I was so disgusted by it, I suggested my video store send it back to their suppliers - which they did. I never did that about a film before...
info-2209
Rented this film out of curiosity towards Ms. Argento's film-making. While the film got off to a shaky start, it quickly evolved into a well-crafted and creatively interesting piece of film-making. While the subject matter of the story itself is upsetting to say the least, it is very well handled. Clearly Ms. Argento has a knack for weaving a compelling and meaningful tale. It will be interesting to see what stories she chooses to tell next and what kinds of characters she will choose to play in her upcoming projects. Overall, this film is worth watching, but make sure you are prepared for some heavy subject matter as it doesn't pull its punches!