The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things (2004)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Asia Argento

Writers:

Asia Argento (screenplay)
J.T. LeRoy (short stories)

Release Date:

19 tammikuu 2005 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Behind the greatest hoax of our time is the heartbreaking story that started it all.

Plot:

Seven year old Jeremiah is pulled from his foster home and thrown into a troubled life on the road with his teenage mother, Sarah.

Plot Keywords:

Bible | Religion | Social Worker | Exotic Dancer | Police Officer

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Asia Argento	...	Sarah
Jimmy Bennett	...	Young Jeremiah
Kara Kemp	...	Social Worker #1
Brent Almond	...	Cop #1
David Dwyer	...	Cop #2
Kip Pardue	...	Luther
Jeremy Renner	...	Emerson
David Brian Alley	...	Doctor (as David Alley)
Lydia Lunch	...	Social Worker #2
Ornella Muti	...	Grandmother
Dylan Sprouse	...	Older Jeremiah
Cole Sprouse	...	Older Jeremiah
Peter Fonda	...	Grandfather
John Robinson	...	Aaron
Lindy Maguire	...	Girl

Also Known As:

Le livre de Jérémie (France)
Petollinen on ihmissydän (Finland) [fi]

MPAA:

Rated R for intense depiction of child abuse/neglect, strong sex and drug content, pervasive language and some violence.

Runtime:

98 min | USA:97 min | Argentina:97 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival)

Country:

USA | UK | France | Japan

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Brazil:18 | France:-16 | Canada:18A | Australia:R (2007) | UK:15 | Germany:16 | Japan:PG-12 | Argentina:16 | Finland:K-15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

Company:

Above All Things Inc.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Jeremiah is in the diner pouring sugar into the cereal bowl, the amount of sugar in the bowl changes between shots.

Quotes:

Older Jeremiah: [imitating Sarah while wearing her baby doll nightie] You're so beautiful, baby doll. Thank ya, honey. Daddy's sexy girl. How's my baby doll's honey pot? I know you'll love me, Jackson.
Jackson: What in the hell are you doing? Jesus Christ Jeremiah, what's gotten into you? Did your mother put you up to this? Is she home early? Sarah!
Older Jeremiah: It's me, Daddy. I'm your baby girl.
Jackson: You do look like your mother a little bit back in the day.
Older Jeremiah: [puts his thumb in his mouth seductively]
Jackson: Get your thumb out of your mouth! You know you ain't supposed to do that.
Older Jeremiah: [turns around and wiggles his butt in Jackson's face]
Jackson: There's something wrong with you, boy.
Older Jeremiah: [jumps in Jackson's lap]
Jackson: Lord, help me!
[...]

Movie Connections:

References Deep Throat (1972)

High praise for the performances.

But the strong performances all around and the great settings really made an impression on me. I thought the editing was exceptionally done. One thing that did bother me was the lighting there was almost a pallor over the film, like it was from the 1970s. Was that the projector or did everyone else notice that? I would recommend this film. I enjoyed the cameos by Peter Fonda, Marilyn Manson and Winona Ryder. The real reason I went to see this is because I've always loved Leroy's short stories and this movie was a somewhat faithful blending of his literary vision and his overall message to his readers. Life is complicated and the choices we make aren't guaranteed to get us anything.