carlesmiquel Asia Argento keeps the tradition of her father's fantastically crazy, brutal and experimental films. She knows how to deal with the darkness, the horror of something people wouldn't even dare to talk about. With a cast that really works, Asia Argento brings a truthful film, a brutal film to ponder about three things: Love, lust and loneliness. All with a sprinkle of religious fanaticism, drugs and deeply disturbed minds.Acting is, by all means, what makes this film so strong. All performances are brilliant. The "experimental", almost child-like cinematography is unnerving and spot-on. The music and all the other elements in sound design are equally chilly. The fact that a little boy is involved in the film, makes it more disturbing. Asia Argento (I suppose) played the main role because I guess it wouldn't be easy to ask any other one to do so in America. I hope no American director or writer will even try to do a re-make of this film, because it's pure giallo in the 2000's, and that's a big thing. Sure, it's a hellraiser for many, but it absolutely shines as what it was intended to be. Many people may not like these sort of genre (giallo is a genre in itself) and will be repelled even by the idea of watching it. So don't. But for people who like European films that usually are honest and brutal, well... you won't easily find anything in this era made in the US so giallo :)Thumbs up for Asia... she's always been a great actress (even when she was pretty young, she appeared in some of her dad's films), a great writer and a daring director.

anacabrera The movie was at times slow, but still very good. Extremely tragic and depressing at times. The reality of this is almost to hard to think about. The movie is one that will resonate in your mind long after you watch.As a Jeremy Renner fan - very tough to get through his scenes.I wish there was some sort of redemption - though I do know that in real life - sometimes it just doesn't happen that way. However, for a story so disturbing and tragic the director did do a great job in making it still artistic enough to not feel like we are violators by watching.

batistuta789 There is something natural yet amazing about the fact that some movies about real, maybe tragic or shocking events have barely touched me - I might have consumed them as light arts - while this fictitious story has recalled so many shocking, depressing facts within a very short time, mainly those newspaper articles you just do not want to read, though you know this are the articles that are to be read, but you're conscious you simply will not read them because they evoke so much helpless anger ... it's within the sad topic itself.I think the overall strategy of the movie is chosen quite well. The aesthetics, photography and visuals of this movie reflect the world of the and confused child mother: this pictures are somewhat clichés of those typical highway movies: cool music, a music clip feeling, hard rock cafes, violence and cheap lust, passing road markings. I think it's a good strategy for this movie: it's the atmosphere from this glaring movies you would normally consider as cool "trash" and you might expect Dennis Hopper appearing. But this time the scenery will enclose a plot that will not give you just an amazing story, some thrills or good "sounds & visuals", but a real punch in the gut.As said before: this movie is depressing. It's surely not the best selection if you plan to have a popcorn movie session with your friends (well, it depends on you).If you are interested in the topic of child abuse or if you are convinced that arts are not just for entertainment and escapism, but may confront yourself with oppressive themes of the real life, you might want to watch this one.

Sunshine Anderson On a night that I couldn't sleep, I turned on the television and the title caught my eye. The truth in the title, The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things, can lead even a child into curiosity that should not be touched. As a young girl I also grew up in situations, some unbearable, some unspeakable, and almost all unbelievable. I consider myself a survivor, and I have shared my story with many, but some things should only be heard and not seen. This story, though it may be true, will likely cause the young actors that played a true mans part, trouble for years. A child's innocence should never be taken from them. Although I sympathize with J.T. Leroy for the pain and the trauma that he went through, in essence he has just made three young boys, play out his role in what I consider a very disturbing movie. They have now been exposed to the trauma and craziness of his life. Not all children are exposed to these conditions. We as a society have overlooked the rights our children should have to preserve their innocence. We believe that because we have experienced such trauma and been through these unbelievable circumstances, that we should be able to share them as we see fit. This movie may be the outlet that J.T. Leroy chose, but what about the inlet that our young ones have now become a part of? What about the young boys who played this part? What about the young ones, despite a parents warning, that may see this movie? Writing your story, is a much more mature way to share with the world your experiences. Making this movie was a selfish act that if seen by the wrong audience, could cause a traumatic effect. If there is a child out there who is suffering anything similar to the young boy in this movie, they may lose hope on a way out. This may lead to their death. One can only know, if they read the book, that this was inspired by a true story, and that the author actually survived and made it. An adult would most likely seek out a book like this for reading, for understanding. Not a child. What about the movie? There is no happy ending for that child. There is no hope seen. There was nothing good to offer. I wish I could actually find the words right now that my heart wants to say. I am glad that this movie was not released as a major motion picture. I could only imagine the damage it may have caused, if it hasn't already.A concerned SURVIVOR, Sunshine