OK, it's been a while I saw a movie with a similarly stunning start. After the suicide scene I just said "wow" and waited for a movie keeping up this high level of suspense. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the later parts. The true story of the two killers is so dark with its blend of sexual perversions, voodoo magic and cold-blooded murder, it has potential for a really memorable epic (Natural Born Killers and Angelheart come to mind). What we got instead is beautifully shot and aptly directed melodrama with cheesy dialogs. The actors are highly praised by others, but let's be honest here, there's only cliché characters in this movie. Travolta does have a strong presence but lacks depth because his character, which was supposed to be the lead element, is badly underwritten. Salma is gorgeous and has a moments that gave me goose-skin but, together with Leto, she fails to provide the dramatic skills needed in the most climactic scene (when arguing with Leto to kill Delphine). I was almost bored by their lines and just waited for him to make up his mind at last so that she shuts up. And being a true story, I don't think the late Mr Robinson would like this film. In reality, both of them were disgusting both by character and appearance (especially the real Martha who was rather ugly and so fat she could barely squeeze herself into the electric chair). However, the movie almost makes them into romantic heroes, or at least respectable people, with all this stuff about true love and Martha's very human obsession with having a child. BTW, she did have a child before she met Martin, who she abandoned for the man's sake - so much about historical accuracy. OK its fictionalized but question is, is it ethical to turn two perverted killers into demi-heroes for the sake of romance and dedicate the movie to the prosecutor who brought them to justice? Anyway, with all this said and with all its flaws, photography and directing make Lonely Hearts one of the best movies Hollywood has produced recently. It's a movie you won't easily forget.
Review of Lonely Hearts
