Tom Twyker is a master of mise en scene
Added 9/21/2008
German-born Tom Twyker, director of many successful films, is perhaps best known for 1998 classic, "Lola Rennt" ("Run Lola, Run").
In "Heaven" Cate Blanchart is cast as Philippa, an English school teacher working in Turin, Italy. This film has both English and Italian parts (with subtitles), lending to it's authenticity. Blanchart's male counterpart, Filippo, is played by Italian actor, Giovannis Riblisi. He is cast as a 20 year old police department employee who becomes sympathetic to Philippa's cause, springs her from jail; and manages to outwit the police and run, ride and fly (!) to safety, in the mean time falling in love with her.
Philippe and Filippo, though from different cultures, become unified in fate, and seem to become two halves of the same whole. Through much of the film Blanchart and Riblisi appear together, both wearing white t-shirts and slim-fitting blue jeans. Later, Philippa is shaved bald, presumably to help her to evade capture by altering her appearance. No big surprise. But then, the camera again shooting from above, reveals that Filippo is also shaved! Several scenes are shot in such a way that they appear to really belong together.
Which brings me to my initial point: Twyker's brilliant usage of mise-en-scene. By that I mean that the set-up of the individual scenes --in addition to having visual style and beauty--convey meaning and information above and beyond what is seen in other types of cinamatography, plus the dialog itself. I find this to be clever and artful. Just by observing how the characters, props and scenery are set up, we see another level of meaning and understanding. For example, how he sets up the scene in the barn as they eat together and then gaze at each other from either end of the film frame. Well, this is not a thing that can easily be described in words; you just have to see the film!
Lastly, I love how the film ends, and how it ties together the beginning scene in a helicopter simulator and also the enigmatic name of the film, "Heaven". Bravo!
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Excellent and intriguing film!
Added 5/31/2008
Heaven is a gem that I discovered in a magazine that covers upcoming films. Director Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run)provides a wonderful script that is only paralleled by excellent acting on the part of Cate Blanchett and Giovanni Ribisi. I highly recommend this film!
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Although the film photography is compelling and Kate Blanchett's acting hits a high mark, the film is disappointing in that its depiction of an unexplainable sudden love falls short of credibility. The movie is boring and the only value it has lies on the showing of beautiful scenes of the Italian countryside.
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heaven is heaven
Added 4/21/2008
This movie is so amazing. I found it accidentally while browsing the program guide on the tv. I hit the info button for a quick little synopsis. If it just had the cast without a little info, I would have watched it anyway. Blanchett and Ribisi have this really powerful, surprising chemistry. The photography is really what makes the movie amazing, for me anyway. I am someone who really pays attention to the photography more than the dialogue at times. It's just fantastic. A really powerful tale.
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Misterios del amor
Added 2/18/2008
No es predecible lo gran lograda que es la pelicula hasta con el transcurrir de ella. Cada minuto entrega elementos que sorprenden por su simpleza pero a la vez por la profundidad y delicadez de las interpretaciones de Cate y Giovani. Quizás pueda desilusionar un poco el final, dado lo acontecido a lo largo de la pelicula. El amor, no lo definiría en esta pelicula, pues de una parte está muy claramente demostrado, mas no por la otras, ahí la magia o la desilusión de la trama. Gran pelicula para descubrir los inicios de Cate Blanchett y Giovanni Ribisi.
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Good love story
Added 6/2/2009
It had a few nice twists and a nice developing love story. The only thing I didnt like was how sometimes Cate would have a good Scottish accent *like she should for the movie* and sometimes it would just be a plain british accent.... This is when she's "speaking english" not "speaking french" because both were in english. Anyway yeah it was good.
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Where nothing is unthinkable, anything can be true--even a lie
Added 4/28/2009
"Don't give up hope, Peter, he's a real fighter..." That's what Charlotte Gray (Blanchett) was told when she heard her boyfriend, Peter, was shot down in France.
When given a choice between faith, hope, and love which one was most important--she chose hope. That's why Charlotte took training as part of the French Resistance. If Peter can't get free from the Germans on her own, she's going to come back to free him.
"Always remember who you are not..." This is the lesson she's given. She is now Dominique. Charlotte Gray is dead. She has a new name and she has no opinion of the war, she simply wants to survive...
"Charlotte Gray" is an under-rated but strong tale of heroism and yes, hope. While Blanchett is known for many more 'stately' roles, she will also be remembered for 'who she is not.'
Rebecca Kyle, April 2009
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Excellent WWII Movie of Hope, Disappointment, Treachery and Salvation
Added 2/1/2009
I enjoyed this movie so much I purchased it so that I can see it when the mood hits me. It has a great cast, the production is excellent, the twist and turns keep you involved and the special features are very interesting as well. Overall, a great WWII movie. One of the better ones.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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