I watched Heartstone yesterday night, and since then, have been pondering the experience it brings outside the screen. It is controversial in its contents and gay rating, yet extremely authentic with the true to life portrayal of living in a close-minded static village.
I agree with the reviews: this movie is not for the faint hearted and definitely not for a lighthearted chill night. It deals with heavy-hearted topics of suicide, violence, dysfunction, toxic environment, self loathing and alienation.
It's the slowest movie I've seen and had to skip the occasional focus on disgusting animal violence and other repulsive activities. Yet, this is how life is in many places across the globe, and sadly the reality teenagers have to grapple with. Heartstone opens up and digs deep into the conflicting reality of life in these places.
There is not much dialogue - most of the movie is portrayed through futile touches, stares and silence... All in all, this movie is a heavy one and presents a coming of age with subtle themes of homosexuality. I wish it explored it more in depth, but once again, watching Heartstone IS like staying in this village and witnessing everything before your eyes - you won't find much gayness and openness there. It calls for you to think, wonder and hope. It calls for change.
Growing up in this ample toxicity and stiffness brings up children like Thor and the violent kids at the playground and bars. I believe Thor does not do well with confronting his own feelings and analyzing the environment - way too many times he leads on Christian, abandons him and amplifies his angst with painful jokes. Thor finally wakes up after a tragedy, but is that enough? The silence and a peck on the forehead for a friend who lived through one of the most traumatic life events. Thor's sexuality is pushed to exploration by his artsy sister, yet it does nothing. He's a tough closed off boy with years of bottled up feelings. I wish he devoted more time to vocalizing his love, platonic or not, to Christian, seeing him experience immense personal struggle; to comforting him and being his support system. I felt more for Christian than anyone in this movie.
Finally, the open ending. I believe it's more than "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger" - after all, Christian does attempt taking his own life. It's Thor observing a little boy, a mini him - fishing and instead of collecting it, letting it go back into the sea. Letting it flee to freedom. The rotting fish serves as a clear metaphor for the life in the village - closed off, sour, gray and repulsive. Yet let the fish free - move away like Christian, start a new life - and you have hope for a better life, a chance to free yourself.
I agree with the reviews: this movie is not for the faint hearted and definitely not for a lighthearted chill night. It deals with heavy-hearted topics of suicide, violence, dysfunction, toxic environment, self loathing and alienation.
It's the slowest movie I've seen and had to skip the occasional focus on disgusting animal violence and other repulsive activities. Yet, this is how life is in many places across the globe, and sadly the reality teenagers have to grapple with. Heartstone opens up and digs deep into the conflicting reality of life in these places.
There is not much dialogue - most of the movie is portrayed through futile touches, stares and silence... All in all, this movie is a heavy one and presents a coming of age with subtle themes of homosexuality. I wish it explored it more in depth, but once again, watching Heartstone IS like staying in this village and witnessing everything before your eyes - you won't find much gayness and openness there. It calls for you to think, wonder and hope. It calls for change.
Growing up in this ample toxicity and stiffness brings up children like Thor and the violent kids at the playground and bars. I believe Thor does not do well with confronting his own feelings and analyzing the environment - way too many times he leads on Christian, abandons him and amplifies his angst with painful jokes. Thor finally wakes up after a tragedy, but is that enough? The silence and a peck on the forehead for a friend who lived through one of the most traumatic life events. Thor's sexuality is pushed to exploration by his artsy sister, yet it does nothing. He's a tough closed off boy with years of bottled up feelings. I wish he devoted more time to vocalizing his love, platonic or not, to Christian, seeing him experience immense personal struggle; to comforting him and being his support system. I felt more for Christian than anyone in this movie.
Finally, the open ending. I believe it's more than "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger" - after all, Christian does attempt taking his own life. It's Thor observing a little boy, a mini him - fishing and instead of collecting it, letting it go back into the sea. Letting it flee to freedom. The rotting fish serves as a clear metaphor for the life in the village - closed off, sour, gray and repulsive. Yet let the fish free - move away like Christian, start a new life - and you have hope for a better life, a chance to free yourself.