The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things
The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things

The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things

2004Movie98 minEnglish

Young Jeremiah lives in a stable environment with loving foster parents until the day his troubled mother, Sarah, returns to claim him. Jeremiah becomes swept up in his mother's dangerous world of drugs, seedy hotels, strip joints and revolving lovers. Salvation comes in the form of the boy's ultrareligious grandparents, but soon Jeremiah's mother returns. Maternal love binds the pair together on the road until Sarah's desperate and depraved lifestyle finally consumes her.

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Insights

IMDb6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes30%
Metacritic47/100
Google Users47%
Director: Asia ArgentoGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

This film tells the story of Jeremiah, a young boy navigating a turbulent childhood filled with neglect, abuse, and a series of dysfunctional parental figures. His life is a chaotic journey through various foster homes and encounters with a cast of eccentric and often dangerous characters, as he struggles to find stability and understand love. The narrative delves into themes of identity, trauma, and the search for belonging.

Critical Reception

The film received a mixed to negative reception from critics, with many finding its intense and often disturbing subject matter challenging and its narrative disjointed. While some praised Asia Argento's visceral directorial style and the performances, others criticized its bleakness and lack of coherent storytelling. Audience reactions were similarly divided, with many finding it too dark and uncomfortable to watch.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its raw, unflinching portrayal of trauma and Argento's bold directorial vision.
  • Criticized for its often gratuitous and disturbing content, which some found to be exploitative.
  • The narrative structure was frequently cited as being difficult to follow, contributing to a sense of disorientation.

Google audience: Google users found the film to be a difficult and emotionally taxing watch, with many expressing that the disturbing themes and bleak outlook were overwhelming. While a minority appreciated the artistic boldness, the general consensus leans towards it being too intense and not offering a satisfying emotional payoff.

Fun Fact

Asia Argento directed, co-wrote, and starred in the film, drawing heavily from her own childhood experiences and her father Dario Argento's novel of the same name.

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