Gatorhank

Shot in the Heart is another of HBO's gems. They make the films that Hollywood generally ignores. Shot in the Heart is a film that takes its time to tell the story of Gary Gilmore and his most dysfunctional family in an intelligent, quite un-mawkish manner. The acting is nothing short of superb. Forget Norman Mailer and savor what must surely be a true story of this very sad event.

Ridley Scott's first feature places Harvey Keitel (as the heavy) and Keith Carradine (the not-so-heavy) smack in the middle of the Napoleonic wars, sabers in hands and ready to rumble. As usual Scott gives us plenty of fog, fire and smoke. But this film is different. It opens on a gentle pastoral scene which immediately tells us that the man who shot this film knows his images. Scott give us one beautiful frame after another. Alternating between the candlelit solitude of a bygone era and the savage reality that was the duel with sabers. And boy are there duels! Everytime the Keitel and Carradine characters lay eyes on each other they feel the need to bleed. The dueling gets so repetitious and old that neither swordsman seems to be able to remember what started it all. The color is gorgeous, the action superb, and the mise-en-scene first-rate. A must-see film for those who have never ventured beyond Blade Runner and Alien.

What a pleasant surprise! Karakter (Character) has so much going for it. There is a great deal of tension in the love/hate relationship between young Jacob and Dreverhaven (his biological father). There is a soupcon of romance (although un-requited) between Jacob and Lorna te George and even some action scenes. One never knows what will happen next. Will Jacob's real father kill him? Will Jacob kill his father? Will Jacob marry? Will he have a second bankruptcy? I know this sounds rather snide, but it is not meant that way at all. This film has a great deal going for it. Beautifully filmed on locations in Holland (mostly office interiors). If it comes your way, don't miss it.