Heavy

"Heavy" focuses on Victor Modino, an overweight, thirty-something cook who lives a quiet life running a roadhouse with his mother in upstate New York. His small world is turned upside down when Callie, a beautiful, kind young woman, comes to work in the restaurant. What ensues is a rich intersection of emotion, yearning, and ennui between the cast of characters running the establishment.

Perhaps one of the most underrated (and under-viewed) films of the 1990s, "Heavy" is a quiet, small film that pulls the emotional strings of the audience with a gentleness that is endearing and that manages to avoid erring into unabashed pathos. The protagonist, brilliantly acted by Pruitt Taylor Vince, is a man of few words, riddled with buried insecurity and social anxiety. Playing opposite Vince is a fresh-faced Liv Tyler, appearing as an unassuming, genuine young woman attempting to find her footing in the world. The emotional core of the film lay between these two characters, and both Vince and Tyler play them with precise skillfulness. Debbie Harry is equally impressive as a cynical longtime waitress, while Shelley Winters turns in a characteristically eccentric performance as the ailing matriarch of the restaurant.

What is perhaps most staggering about "Heavy" is that it rings eerily true to the locale in which it is set. The characters each feel like people we've seen in real life in anywhere, USA--small town ,working class people facing off their demons and failed aspirations. Director James Mangold (in his feature debut) captures a restlessness in each that is authentic, and the narrative is supported by atmospheric cinematography and a lush, sometimes unearthly score by Thurston Moore.

Some audiences seeking emotional (or literal ) fireworks may be bored to death by it, but for cinema lovers who appreciate character portraits and feelings of places, "Heavy" is an absolute gem. It's a quiet, small film full of quiet, small moments, but each of them have a ring of truthfulness that is difficult to ignore. Mangold manages to string these moments together with grace, leaving us an authentic, sparse narrative that still manages to uplift without drenching us in syrupy poignancy. Each of his characters, as embittered as they might be, are not entirely forsaken. 10/10.

This is a movie that I almost didn't watch because it was to be about a fat pizza cook. After watching for thirty minutes, it was obvious that the movie was about the very sensitive feelings of someone who is over weight. The performance by Pruitt Taylor Vince was very impressive, and I felt if not winning an Academy Award, should have at least been nominated. Few actors can express as much without saying a word, as he did in this very powerful and touching movie.

An overweight cook who lives with and works for his mother, develops a crush on a young waitress who comes to work for their diner. However, what do you say when you're 30, overweight, have never gone anywhere, never kissed a girl, and rarely speak more than three words a day? Not everyone will get this movie. Having said that, it's a work of beauty. A simple story line, with minimal drama, dealing with a situation that could happen to anyone, except that it happens with someone who is unable to express himself. The simple pulse of this movie beats and builds slowly, and doesn't sweep you away, but leaves you to contemplate life in someone else's shoes. Excellent cinematography, a haunting original score by Thurston Moore, and a story that's so fresh simply because of it's ordinary nature.

We need more films like this. I was disappointed to find that James Mangold has since gone on to write and direct some movies, which are quite overblown. However, this one was pragmatic and elegant.

Heavy is a film about sad and desperate people, all of whom seem to have nothing to look forward to. At the center of the film is Victor, played magnificently by Pruitt Taylor Vince. He's the cook at his mother's restaurant. Victor goes about his job and life almost mechanically, he rarely say a word and his movement is limited. Until a couple of major event in his environment happens. One the hiring of a beautiful young waitress named Callie(Liv Tyler) which represent to Victor something wonderful and unattainable. Yet it gives him hope for his empty existence. The second major event is tragic, yet Victor hides it from everyone around him because he wants things to stay the same. He has no sense of what else is there for him. Yet this event might give him the opportunity to go out and see what's beyond the front door of his mom's restaurant. The final reel shows that whereas the other character's lives seem to be continuing the same pattern of sadness and despair. Victor might try to move on with his. Particularly his interaction with a convenience store female clerk with whom he's never spoken to before. It's not much but it's a start.

Victor works as a cook in his mother's diner along with waitresses Delores and Callie. Callie is the new girl who arouses jealousy in Delores but feelings of longings in Victor. With his mother in the hospital Victor realises that his life needs more to it – but his size puts him off being forward

Like the lead character this is a slow film that requires patience as everything is understated rather than shouted out. The story follows Victor as he tries to make progress from his shy, quiet life one step at a time. The eerie electronic score adds to the feeling of pace and thoughtfulness and in many ways the film backs it up. On the down side it does seem aimless at times and sometimes the plot feels like it isn't real.

These are minor flaws and the director has set a good story for a good cast to carry through on. Vince is especially good as Victor. He fits the role like a glove and his moving eyes and shy gestures bring the character to life and make him totally believable. Tyler is also very good – what a shame that her most successful roles have been in MTV-type of stuff, but she is very bright here. Both Winters and Harry put in good roles but less central than the former two.

Overall this is a very patient piece of work looking at the character of Victor. It may seem aimless and drifting at times but it is quite touching – mainly due to an understated performance from Vince.