Heartless: A Tale of Love, Intrigue, and a Touch of Darkness

You know when you settle in for a cozy film night with high hopes and maybe a little tub of Ben & Jerry’s, that’s about how I felt dragging myself into Heartless. Directed by none other than that maverick Philip Ridley. Seriously, the man’s a wildcard. He doesn’t just dip his toes into the surreal, he cannonballs right in.

Right, so Heartless reels you in with Jim Sturgess playing Jamie Morgan. This lad Jamie, he’s got a birthmark slapped across half his face – a real “you’ll-never-be-a-local-celeb” kind of mark. That’s until he begins to unravel London’s gritty underworld, which conveniently is swarming with some demonic types. Sounds absurd? Oh, it is! But that’s the bloody fun of it.

Now, Sturgess – you might remember him from flicks like 21 or Across the Universe. Great chap, isn’t he? His portrayal here makes you kind of root for poor misfit Jamie, even as things get outlandishly paranormal. And, oh, Eddie Marsan pops up with his trademark eccentricity, reminding me of that time I tried to fix the antenna on the roof in a thunderstorm while slightly tipsy – unpredictable and rather risky.

Though I gotta say, the movie ain’t always smooth sailing. Some scenes feel like they’ve been put on slow simmer for too long. It’s like waiting for the Midsummer sun to make its grand return – patience is key. And yet, those dashes of dark humor and those heart-thumping surprises make it intriguing enough to keep you watching.

Remember how Kalle Anka is such a strange tradition, yet we all gather like clockwork to watch it? Heartless feels a bit like that, oddly captivating, sometimes puzzling. It won’t quench everyone’s thirst, but if you like your stories warped, give it a whirl. Might just find it sticks with you like that persistent birthmark. Cheers!

Check the trailer below