Heartless (2009 film)
Encyclopedia
Heartless is a 2009 British horror film directed by Philip Ridley
and starring Jim Sturgess
, Noel Clarke
, Clémence Poésy
and Eddie Marsan
.
) is a troubled photographer with a heart-shaped birthmark on his face. At the photographic studio he shares with his brother and nephew Lee, he meets aspiring model Tia (Clémence Poésy
).
A series of horrific events - including the separate murders of his mother and former gang member neighbour A.J. - lead Jamie first to the brink of suicide, then to the apartment of Papa B (Joseph Mawle
) and his assistant Belle (Nikita Mistry). He is offered a Faustian bargain: fulfill Papa B's desire for chaos with occasional acts of vandalism
in return for the removal of his birthmarks. Despite Papa B being responsible for his mother's death Jamie consents, his skin being restored by an act of self-immolation
.
Initially things go well: a chance meeting with Tia leads a newly-confident Jamie to the park, where his deceased father taught him to use a camera. The deal sours, however, when the Weapons Man arrives: Jamie must now commit murder; first of a gigolo
, then Tia.
At the studio, it is revealed that Tia and Lee intended to steal his mother's jewels from the safe. Tia had initially meant only to help Lee gain access to the safe, but she ended up falling sincerely in love with Jamie. During the ensuing struggle Tia is accidentally shot, and Lee is soon wounded by She, the gang leader to whom he owed money.
Jamie is pursued by She, resulting in She's death. Jamie spies himself in a mirror and sees that his birthmark has returned, and with it the knowledge that it had been there the entire time, even while he was courting Tia. The viewer is left to decide for him or her self whether Papa B. cheated Jamie by never removing the birthmark, or if much of what transpired was the product of Jamie's imagination.
Jamie staggers outside where a hooded gang member catches him with a Molotov cocktail
. As he burns to death, Jamie experiences an emotionally powerful moment with his father (whether this is a memory or a near-death experience is left unclear) before seeming to ascend into bright light. The light fades into a field of stars in the night sky, mirroring those spoken of by his father.
. It premiered on 21 May 2010 and was released on DVD on 25 May 2010 in the UK. Heartless is part of the Fantasia Festival
2010.
.
Philip Ridley
Philip Ridley is a British artist working with various media.- Biography :Ridley was born in Bethnal Green, in the East End of London, where he still lives and works. He studied painting at St. Martin’s School of Art and his work has been exhibited throughout Europe and Japan...
and starring Jim Sturgess
Jim Sturgess
James Anthony "Jim" Sturgess is an English actor and singer-songwriter. His breakthrough role was appearing as Jude in the musical romance drama film Across the Universe .-Early life:...
, Noel Clarke
Noel Clarke
Noel Anthony Clarke is an English actor, director and screenwriter from London. He is best known for playing Wyman Norris in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Mickey Smith in Doctor Who...
, Clémence Poésy
Clémence Poésy
Clémence Poésy is a French actress and fashion model. Since starting on the stage as a child, Poésy had dramatic education, and has been active on both film and television since 1999, including some English-language productions...
and Eddie Marsan
Eddie Marsan
Edward Maurice C. "Eddie" Marsan is an English actor.-Early life:Marsan was born in Stepney, London to a working class family; his father was a lorry driver and his mother a school dinner lady and teacher's assistant...
.
Plot
Jamie Morgan (Jim SturgessJim Sturgess
James Anthony "Jim" Sturgess is an English actor and singer-songwriter. His breakthrough role was appearing as Jude in the musical romance drama film Across the Universe .-Early life:...
) is a troubled photographer with a heart-shaped birthmark on his face. At the photographic studio he shares with his brother and nephew Lee, he meets aspiring model Tia (Clémence Poésy
Clémence Poésy
Clémence Poésy is a French actress and fashion model. Since starting on the stage as a child, Poésy had dramatic education, and has been active on both film and television since 1999, including some English-language productions...
).
A series of horrific events - including the separate murders of his mother and former gang member neighbour A.J. - lead Jamie first to the brink of suicide, then to the apartment of Papa B (Joseph Mawle
Joseph Mawle
-Biography:Mawle graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 2002 in the same year he appeared in the Irish Hurling TV adverts for Guinness. He began work in the theatre prior to training at Bristol mainly for Box Clever Theatre Company and in his own production of 'Solo Hamlet'He landed his...
) and his assistant Belle (Nikita Mistry). He is offered a Faustian bargain: fulfill Papa B's desire for chaos with occasional acts of vandalism
Graffiti
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
in return for the removal of his birthmarks. Despite Papa B being responsible for his mother's death Jamie consents, his skin being restored by an act of self-immolation
Self-immolation
Self-immolation refers to setting oneself on fire, often as a form of protest or for the purposes of martyrdom or suicide. It has centuries-long traditions in some cultures, while in modern times it has become a type of radical political protest...
.
Initially things go well: a chance meeting with Tia leads a newly-confident Jamie to the park, where his deceased father taught him to use a camera. The deal sours, however, when the Weapons Man arrives: Jamie must now commit murder; first of a gigolo
Gigolo
Gigolo may refer to:* A male prostitute, escort, or dancer, who offers services to women* Gigolo , a 2006 single by Helena Paparizou* Gigolo , a 2003 single by Nick Cannon...
, then Tia.
At the studio, it is revealed that Tia and Lee intended to steal his mother's jewels from the safe. Tia had initially meant only to help Lee gain access to the safe, but she ended up falling sincerely in love with Jamie. During the ensuing struggle Tia is accidentally shot, and Lee is soon wounded by She, the gang leader to whom he owed money.
Jamie is pursued by She, resulting in She's death. Jamie spies himself in a mirror and sees that his birthmark has returned, and with it the knowledge that it had been there the entire time, even while he was courting Tia. The viewer is left to decide for him or her self whether Papa B. cheated Jamie by never removing the birthmark, or if much of what transpired was the product of Jamie's imagination.
Jamie staggers outside where a hooded gang member catches him with a Molotov cocktail
Molotov cocktail
The Molotov cocktail, also known as the petrol bomb, gasoline bomb, Molotov bomb, fire bottle, fire bomb, or simply Molotov, is a generic name used for a variety of improvised incendiary weapons...
. As he burns to death, Jamie experiences an emotionally powerful moment with his father (whether this is a memory or a near-death experience is left unclear) before seeming to ascend into bright light. The light fades into a field of stars in the night sky, mirroring those spoken of by his father.
Cast
- Jim SturgessJim SturgessJames Anthony "Jim" Sturgess is an English actor and singer-songwriter. His breakthrough role was appearing as Jude in the musical romance drama film Across the Universe .-Early life:...
as Jamie Morgan - Noel ClarkeNoel ClarkeNoel Anthony Clarke is an English actor, director and screenwriter from London. He is best known for playing Wyman Norris in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Mickey Smith in Doctor Who...
as A.J. - Clémence PoésyClémence PoésyClémence Poésy is a French actress and fashion model. Since starting on the stage as a child, Poésy had dramatic education, and has been active on both film and television since 1999, including some English-language productions...
as Tia - Eddie MarsanEddie MarsanEdward Maurice C. "Eddie" Marsan is an English actor.-Early life:Marsan was born in Stepney, London to a working class family; his father was a lorry driver and his mother a school dinner lady and teacher's assistant...
as Weapons Man - Joseph MawleJoseph Mawle-Biography:Mawle graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 2002 in the same year he appeared in the Irish Hurling TV adverts for Guinness. He began work in the theatre prior to training at Bristol mainly for Box Clever Theatre Company and in his own production of 'Solo Hamlet'He landed his...
as Papa B - Ruth SheenRuth SheenRuth Sheen is an English actress.Born in London, Sheen began her career by training at the East 15 Acting School, and has appeared regularly on British television and in British films since 1988. On television, she had recurring roles as Nanny Simmons in Berkeley Square , and as Nurse Ethel Carr...
as Marion Morgan - Timothy SpallTimothy SpallTimothy Leonard Spall, OBE is an English character actor and occasional presenter.-Early life:Spall, the third of four sons, was born in Battersea, London. His mother, Sylvia R. , was a hairdresser, and his father, Joseph L. Spall, was a postal worker...
as George Morgan - Luke TreadawayLuke TreadawayLuke Antony N. Treadaway is an English actor, whose career includes roles in the films Brothers of the Head and Attack the Block.- Personal life :...
as Lee Morgan - Fraser AyresFraser AyresFraser Ayres is an actor, best known for his role as Clint in the BBC comedy series The Smoking Room. Fraser's other television work has included Bella and The Boys, Unconditional Love, London's Burning, The Vice and Trail Of Guilt...
as Vinnie - Nikita Mistry as Belle
- Ross McCart as Young Jamie
Release
The film was shown as part of the 2009 Cork Film FestivalCork Film Festival
The Cork Film Festival is a film festival held annually in Cork City, Ireland. It was established in 1956 and has grown to be an internationally recognised festival, particularly in the area of short films....
. It premiered on 21 May 2010 and was released on DVD on 25 May 2010 in the UK. Heartless is part of the Fantasia Festival
Fantasia Festival
Fantasia International Film Festival is a genre film festival that has been based mainly in Montreal since its founding in 1996...
2010.
Reception
Reviews for the film have been generally positive. The film currently holds a 78% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
.