Heaven

Tykwer once gave us the kinetic, frantic styling of "Run Lola, Run", a tale that's all about movement. His approach to "Heaven" is quite different however, parts of the film being almost like a meditation and relying necessarily on a still and collected aura. Visuals are important all the same, though, since there isn't much exposition in the dialogue. What talking there is is made up more of imperatives and sharp, harsh sounds. The transition of moods is conveyed to us largely using silence and the picture we see on screen, so our two leads have to be expressive, and Blanchett in particular expertly generates empathy for her character, with minimal fuss.

Coming to the experience of watching this film knowing as little about events as possible is vital, I think. The film entranced me from its first unusual shot, and it was difficult to reflect too long on individual instances because the telling is so seamlessly smooth in its moment. For some watchers, this will marry perfectly with how they like to take in art, but I myself admit to preferring standout scenes that I'll remember, rather than preserving the unity of the piece as a whole. I was raised as a 'style over content' man and unfortunately it must be ingrained within me now, despite having broadened my tastes as I grew. That would explain the comparatively low rating for a film I have otherwise praised, but at least I found the unusual story to be a joy and appreciated what I saw as the film's underlying ethos. To wit:

... that the consequences of what must be irreversible decisions are inevitable, but that is not to deny an uplifting element that can also coexist alongside. Even at the height of despair and utter nihilism about life in general, she's still able to find a kind of solace in the company of someone who will sacrifice himself for her, unconditionally. Even at your darkest, somehow support will always be available, somewhere. I find that to be a rather comforting and positive notion.

It's like life, sooner or later an ending will be met, but what's important is to seize the little moments of happiness and peace where you can.

The framework of the story overall might have been depressing, but it's an important message, and I enjoyed seeing it play itself out. The form of presentation is regrettably one to which I'm not properly accustomed, so I doubt I got the best out of it, but nevertheless I still have to say it proved to be remarkably memorable and moving.

for silence. for delicate story. for perspective of love, revenge, game with past and definition of truth. for images of Tuscany. for sky, romanticism, for Cate Blanchete and Giovanni Ribisi. for exploration of limits and special May 23, for masks of society, triumph of nuances, science of details, delicate touch, drawing of characters, heavy words, basic solutions, impression of fairy-tale or touching song, aura of things, looks and common pieces as parts of a puzzle who describes shadow of feelings. more than film - a meditation. or bitter way to understand reality more than a web without sense. a fascinating meeting with a fabulous mode to say the essential phrases.

Cate Blanchett is Philippa, an English teacher who plants a bomb in an office. She wants to kill the boss there because he is a drugdealer and because his fault children died. The boss is not killed, four innocent people are, including two children. In jail she is interrogated and a translater named Filippo (Giovanni Ribisi) falls in love with her and helps her. I will not reveal with what exactly or how he helps her but the woman will have the chance to pay her dues on her own way.

The story set in Italy (Blanchett and Ribisi speak perfectly Italian in the movie) is a beautiful, tragic and intelligent one. The cinematography is great. Together with the music the film takes it time and doesn't rush things. It makes the movie, with a lot of symbolism, even more beautiful. Very interesting, written by the late Krzysztof Kieslowky (writer/director of Dekalog and Trois Couleurs) and Krzysztof Piesiewicz and directed by Tom Tykwer (director of Lola Rennt). Ribisi is very good and Blanchett is great.

This is an unusual film, start to finish, particularly finish. Why? Because......

It's a suspense film but not all that suspenseful, especially in light of today's bloody action scenes.

It has an ending that is not really an ending.

It's not listed (or categorized at rental stores) as a "foreign film" but much of the movie is spoken in Italian.

In other words, this is hard to label. Throw in an odd romance, some spectacular Tuscan scenery (actually wonderful cinematography all the way through), a slow-moving but involving storyline and one of this generation's most-interesting actresses (Cate Blanchett) and you have a film worth investigating.

A word of warning, especially to younger people: this film might be too slow for what you are used to seeing. If you want action, skip this. This film is more for people into visuals and a different story. Subtitles also turn off a lot of people, and you need them here.

As someone who just loves great visuals, this is an astonishing piece of work - just magnificent to view. I also appreciated the director's "sky cam" with some wonderful aerial shots.

The "R" rating comes from a very, very brief sex scene, which doesn't involve the major characters. There is almost no profanity in here. A strange film to label but it sure is a visual treat. I liked it even more on the second viewing

This is not an ordinary movie. Watching this film is like watching a poem. it is too bad that some reviewers here have to see everything in the plug and play mode meant for short attention spans. This is a work of art intended to be tasted, smelled, seen, and touched. It enlivens the senses, touches the heart, and moves you with little dialog. Blanchett doesn't have to speak. Her face tells the pain of her loss, her remorse for her actions, and her lack of relief from her revenge. Ribisi is stunning as the outwardly simple, infatuated boy-like man with subtly revealed inner strength and cunning. Sometimes it is nice to take a break from the usual fare and take a ride on a work of art. I loved this film and will watch it again.