Review of The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things (2004) by Gerry P — 27 Nov 2012

Nobody saw this film apart from fans of Asia or the book. I saw this film on Youtube and I enjoyed it. It's no masterpiece. It is what it is.

Asia just plays the same slutty, slurred voice character she always does. The only difference is that she tries to perform with a southern accent, but no avail. Her accent skids all over the place. In the DVD commentary, she said they couldn't hire a dialect coach, so that was the best she could do. Her performance is good nonetheless. Although, you have to give her credit for making herself look unattractive as possible, much like the same direction Charlize Theron went in Monster. Asia is gorgeous in real life, but her character has bad skin and has hairy armpits. It's what she looked like in the book. I never read the book, but that's what she said in the commentary.

This is not a comfortable film. This meant to be a very dark journey that poor Jeremiah has to go through. If you're expecting any happiness in this film, look elsewhere. This is an ugly film with unlikable characters. Which is what the book and the film wanted to be. Sarah is just a hateful, unlikable character. She basically our villainess.

Jimmy Bennett and the Sprouse twins are great as Jeremiah, the rest of the cast do a great job too.

How Asia's direction? Well, some bits are stylized. Taking lessons from her father Dario. Even if you have this film, there will be parts where you think "That shot was pretty good.".

One problem I have with this film, is that at times I can't understand what the characters are saying. Especially when Jeremiah is talking to Buddy. The DVD didn't have subtitles.

Speaking of the DVD, some Region 1 copies have an error. A scene involving a crystal meth lab exploding was missing. I have one of those copies. Although you can watch the scene on Youtube.

Overall, I liked it. I like Asia, that's why I watched it. I wanted to see what her directing skills were like. I haven't seen Scarlet Diva yet.

If you like dark dramas, this might be up your street.

Will Asia ever act or make a family film? (sucks in teeth) Maybe. If you ask her.