Review of Battle in Heaven (2005) by Dave L — 03 Jul 2007

I totally approve of Jonathan L's remarks. I saw it at EIFF but avoided the Cab vol launch party. I did however encounter the female lead, who was pissed off her face and wearing fairy wings. I didn't let that bother me though.

The film dragged in places to be honest, and often the motivation for the on-screen action was beyond my reckoning, but it doesn't pull its punches and has a hell of a lot of power (and grime and filth and shock and 'omg noes totally didnt see that coming, ouch').

Read the synopsis and you pretty much have the film. Note the amazing panoramic shot which spins around the 'odd couple' during intercourse, watching them and watching the rooftops of Mexico city, with expert foleying to match every source of sound to its proper place as the camera pans.

And also the mountain-top vistas, and the grinding final scene.