Description

A rich and emotionally charged drama about the seductive anddestructive nature of passion. Socialite Madeleine invites her bohemian sister Dinah tostay with her and her husband, Rickie. Rickie and his sister-in-law find themselvesunable to control their desire for one another. What starts as a momentary affair spiralsinto decades of deception, ecstasy, and passion. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

If you liked this one...
If you enjoyed Heart of Me as I did, I would also suggest the movie "Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights" (with Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche) and "Till Human Voices Wake Us" (also with Helena Bonham Carter and Guy Pearce). Wuthering Heights is chilling and the acting is superb. Till Human Voices is a powerful story with brilliant cinematography. Hope you enjoy.

disappointing audio commentary
The movie was great, but the commentary is pretty awful, as the director seems largely inarticulate and has little to say. while the movie continues in full sound without any commentary (we have already watched the movie), but, then, it seems that good commentary is rare.

Brilliantly acted drama
"The Heart of Me" is pure, unadulterated soap opera redeemed by the kind of high-toned, stiff-upper-lip seriousness of which the British seem uniquely capable. Set primarily in the 1930's, the film tells the story of two sisters caught in a passionate and quasi-incestuous love triangle. Madeline (Olivia Williams), the older of the two, is an uptight woman whose weak-willed husband, Rickie (Paul Bettany), falls in love with her younger and more free-spirited sibling, Dinah (Helena Bonham Carter). These two in-laws, soul mates for life, carry on a torrid love affair until Madeline discovers the truth - and even for a time thereafter.

Given the material, "The Heart of Me" could easily have devolved into a cheap, sensationalistic melodrama for the "Masterpiece Theatre" set. Instead, thanks to truly brilliant performances by the three principal actors and an intelligent, thoughtful screenplay, the film becomes a wholly absorbing drama that offers profound insights into the realities of the human heart. The pain each of these people experiences is so palpable in its intensity that it washes away all traces of artificiality and contrivance. The film becomes a fascinating study of what happens when clanging passions are hemmed in by the restrictions and proprieties of a strict, morally repressive upper class society. Rickie and Dinah choose to turn themselves into social pariahs, then must face the consequences of their convention-defying actions. Of most interest is the emotionally complex relationship between the two very different sisters. What makes the film special is the way in which it allows the seemingly cold-hearted Madeline to become as much a sympathetic figure as the two impassioned lovers. Thanks to Williams' impeccable performance (she played Penelope in the TV movie version of "The Odyssey"), Madeline is allowed to live and breathe and have her own say, making her, in many ways, the most intriguing of the three main characters.

"The Heart of Me," which is beautifully detailed in costumes and settings, transcends the limits of its genre to deliver a heartbreaking tale of love, loss, lament - and hope.

about the movie the heart of me.......
The storoy is basically about one of the actress Dinah whom got pregnant after sex with the actress's husband(Maldeleine) whom later try to tie down Maldeleine's husband by messing with their marriage. I am notgoing to say anything more to the story to make the movie boring to watch. There are two sex scenes inside and also for those whom are interested to watch this genre of movie. I watch this at Singapore theatre.

Amazing Movie
This movie strikes a deep emotional chord... two sisters, both very different, one an artist who follows her heart, which at times seems a bit impetuous, the other a reserved and proper wife and mother seeking seemingly unselfishly to maintain her status quo. The movie takes you deftly into their positions in life, and though you may have a favorite of the two by the end, it is surely not for lack of understanding the entirety of each character. Love and betrayal, candor and lies. Each loving the same man, for different reasons and purposes. It is an amazing journey that will take you through the spectrum of each emotion - longing, hope, despair, love, angst, pride, freedom, ultimate loss and again, hope. I highly recommend this movie.

If you enjoy the dynamics of this movie, you may also enjoy Possession, in which Jennifer Ehle and Jeremy Northam shine. ... Read more

Amazon.com

To the disappointment of Kevin Spacey fans, Miramax never released Ordinary Decent Criminal in the U.S. That has more to do with backstage negotiations than with the quality of this amusing Irish crime caper, which was overshadowed by John Boorman's similar and superior film The General. Both were inspired by the exploits of infamous Irish gangster Martin Cahill, fictionalized here as Michael Lynch (Spacey, with a passable brogue), an elusive bank robber who prides himself on family values and clever escapes. His latest brazen scheme involves the theft of a priceless Caravaggio painting, but director Thaddeus O'Sullivan (who made the underrated Nothing Personal) is more interested in quirky character study than criminal behavior, giving the film its jaunty, uneven mix of humor, drama, and violence. The casting of Spacey and Linda Fiorentino (as Lynch's supportive wife) is an awkward concession to international box office, but the movie's Irish flavor--including a pre-stardom role for Colin Farrell--is enough to keep its cagey spirits high. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Disappointing, normally Kevin Spacey guarantees a good movie
I viewed this movie just waiting for the usual Kevin Spacey twist. It was there; kind of. However, there was not enough of it and in too convoluted of a movie.

The story line is of a two-bit criminal David Lynch (Kevin Spacey) who plays just outside the line of the law. Due to antiquated rules and laws in Ireland, not only can he avoid prison, but he can also receive his unemployment check while being a happy well paid citizen who just happens to be a crook, hence the title; "Ordinary decent criminal".

David Lynch at one time, a happy beatnik living in subsidized housing gained notoriety for standing up to an eviction notice on this housing prior to its demolition and in order to leave was granted a free home for his cooperation. Learning from this success he continued thumbing his nose at local law enforcement and just steals enough to support his and his cronies lifestyle. However, as an aging crook and being recently enamored with this "fame" on TV, he decides to overreach his limit and gains not only attention by the local authorities, but by members of the IRA that want a cut of his proceeds. Now things get complicated.

There are several other well-known stars supporting such as Linda Fiorentino and Colin Farrell. They are never really used to their best advantage. Kevin Spacey's blissful nose thumbing attitude also comes across as a modern day twisted Leprechaun as well. It never really sets the right mood.

This movie could have been so much more. I felt it was slow, poorly crafted and a waste of some spectacular actors.

It's fun to cheer for the bad guy!
While it's not the best 'cheer for the criminal' movie I've ever seen it is still fun. My only complaint is that Colin Ferrell's part is so small. It's entertaining, although it is a bit dark at times. I would recomend it for anyone who is a fan of Boondock Saints or Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, as it's very much in the same vein as these films. Kevin Spacey and Linda Florintino are great as usual. it's tons of fun to watch Spacey's character run the poice around in circles. So if you're in the mood for a smart criminal drama I think Ordinary Decent Criminal is a great pic at least for a rental.

Enjoyable as Snatch? Yeah, right....
This is one of the most boring movies that I ever saw. The DVD box says: "If you enjoy Snatch you'll enjoy this" (or something like that)... with this great cast you must think that's true, but the movie is horrible, I tought Kevin Spacey was a smart guy when he pick un scripts, but I guess I was wrong. The movie is soo slow that you may get sleep... Don't buy it, don't rent it, don't see it on television...

Spacey moons the camera, then the movie gets mooned
starts off as Spacey's moons the cameras and people and then goes on with a boring pace and the worst part is that Colin Farrell has little screen time in this one and gets killed as hes shooting from behind a painting, what the hell. Fiorento has a good British accent but the story is to dumb and Spacey's friends and the cops are obnoxious, but Farrell was mute maybe for most his part. for Spacey or Farrell fans

TOTALLY MISSED THE POINT
Before I get started here, let me just point out to some of the other reviewers that this is a work of fiction "based on (not recreating) a true story" and that Kevin Spacey played Michael (not David) Lynch. That said, I was happy to find this little gem last night and surprised that I'd never heard of it. With a cast that includes Spacey, Linda Fiorentino, Peter Mullan, and Colin Farrell to go along with the beautiful Irish scenery, this movie tells it's quirky little tale in just 94 minutes. Short, sweet, and to the point. It's a shame that more movies (and reviewers) can't do the same but instead totally miss the point. ... Read more