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Heaven (2002)

Heaven (2002)
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German filmmaker Tom Tykwer helmed this feature, which was adapted from a screenplay co-authored by the late Krzysztof Kieslowski. Philippa (Cate Blanchett) is a British schoolteacher living in Italy, whose husband fell victim to a drug overdose, as have several of her students. Marco Vendice (Stefano Santospago) is a powerful local drug dealer who sold the dope which killed Philippa's husband, as well as a number of neighborhood teens. Disgusted with the inability of the police to bring Vendice to justice, Philippa takes the law into her own hands, planting a bomb which is intended to kill the dealer. However, Philippa's plan goes awry, and instead the bomb kills four innocent bystanders. Philippa is arrested and brought before the police for questioning, not knowing that the interrogating officer in charge of the case, Pini (Mattia Sbragia), is one of Vendice's secret business associates. More comfortable with English than Italian, Philippa requests a translator, and multilingual officer Filippo (Giovanni Ribisi) is brought in to serve as interpreter. Filippo finds himself falling in love with Philippa, and with his help she's able to escape and go into hiding; however, despite her deep regrets about the loss of four lives in the bombing, she is still bound and determined to see Vendice dead. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Cate Blanchett, Giovanni Ribisi, (more)
Director(s):
Tom Tykwer
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Heaven

German filmmaker Tom Tykwer helmed this feature, which was adapted from a screenplay co-authored by the late Krzysztof Kieslowski. Philippa (Cate Blanchett) is a British schoolteacher living in Italy, whose husband fell victim to a drug overdose, as have several of her students. Marco Vendice (Stefano Santospago) is a powerful local drug dealer who sold the dope which killed Philippa's husband, as well as a number of neighborhood teens. Disgusted with the inability of the police to bring Vendice to justice, Philippa takes the law into her own hands, planting a bomb which is intended to kill the dealer. However, Philippa's plan goes awry, and instead the bomb kills four innocent bystanders. Philippa is arrested and brought before the police for questioning, not knowing that the interrogating officer in charge of the case, Pini (Mattia Sbragia), is one of Vendice's secret business associates. More comfortable with English than Italian, Philippa requests a translator, and multilingual officer Filippo (Giovanni Ribisi) is brought in to serve as interpreter. Filippo finds himself falling in love with Philippa, and with his help she's able to escape and go into hiding; however, despite her deep regrets about the loss of four lives in the bombing, she is still bound and determined to see Vendice dead. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
97 mins

Complete Cast of Heaven


Director(s):
Tom Tykwer
Writer(s):
Krzysztof Piesiewicz, Krzysztof Kieslowski
Producer(s):
William Horberg, Maria Koepf, Stefan Arndt
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Sexual Situations, Violence)
Categories:
Independent Films, Romance
Heaven Awards:
  • 2002 - National Board of Review - Special Mention for Excellence in Filmmaking
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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    Member Reviews
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    John L.

    Obviously, from the title of this review, I consider Heaven perhaps the most beautiful film I've seen. As a writer and professor, I still consider film my foremost love in all the arts. In consequence, I've seen thousands of films--and those include nearly every one of the hundreds which are--from varying sources--considered the greatest in the medium. After multiple viewings, I place Heaven at the top. The direction and cinematography are both remarkable, the story utterly compelling, and the performances--especially Cate's--beyond compare. It is actually the overwhelming power and beauty of Cate that's the core of the film's art. It's not just "acting," but the combination of unearthly beauty, top-tier cinematography, *and* her talent that makes this a level above Streep, Dench, Bergman, Hepburn, and any other great at their absolute best. I suppose it's hard to imagine the existence of a full level beyond. But that level is here, and it's clear.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Tim B.

    Cate is always intense in her roles! The ending is a little confusing? Did they rise to Heaven? ...Peace.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Neil W.

    A very atypical Kieslowski/Piesiewicz type script. Although Tykwer does a fantastic job directing, it would have been interesting to see how the master would have done it. Even though it is atypical, many of Kieslowski's wonderful elements are here, particularily in the second half of the film. Blanchett is superb, Ribisi is fantastic, and the rest are perfectly cast. The use of several of Arvo Part's pieces provides for a perfectly executes soundtrack. Again, it would have been nice to see Kieslowski's directorial treatment were it not for his untimely death, but, again, we are left with yet another brilliant script by him.

    Yes   |   No

     
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