HEAVY (1995)

Written & Directed By: James Mangold
Cinematography By: Michael Barrow
Editor: Meg Reiticker
Original Music By: Thurston Moore

Cast: Pruitt Taylor Vince, Liv Tyler, Shelly Winters, Deborah Harry, Evan Dando, David Patrick Kelly, Joe Grifasi


This film isn’t bad, but sitting through it lives up to it’s title. It feels like a chore to finish it. While you are watching it. It feels like there is a heavy weight on your back. This film is memorable for me because it was the first film I saw at the legendary FILM FORUM in new York city. I went to see this with my cousin who was as unimpressed with this movie as I was. I think this was the beginning of the end for her. Soon after this she became disillusioned with the whole indie film scene. I can’t blame her as this film has all the clichés of a so called impossible love story. It is about 2 characters who are perfect for each other but can’t be together for numerous reasons. At least this film shows that nothing is perfect where as the characters share a connection it doesn’t mean that they are in love or could be. Their characters never even share a romantic moment together or kiss.

The film takes place in a small town. The film is filled with long lingering shots on things that seem abstract or not central to the plot or scenes. It seems to want to add to the scenery and ambiance making the background shape the story and visuals. The locations feel cheap and lived in. There are hardly any extras in the film. It seems to be filmed in long takes with not a lot of dialogue. The film leaves the audience to interpret things from the mood and facial reactions.
If the story was more interesting it could work, but sitting there I just couldn’t get into it or care. I will admit at first I was only interested in this film because of Liv Tyler in one of her first films but once the sight of her beauty wears off in this film. I was left with the rest of the film. Which isn’t horrible but very slow like a 1970’s slice of life film. The problem is unlike those films there aren’t many interesting characters nor is there a performance that grounds the film with a amazing actor. Pruitt Taylor Vince plays the lead and while his character is well rounded. The acting and writing of his character seemed to be the only strong element in the film. It’s almost like the film was written around him but not as much thought was put into it. Mr. Vince is a great actor whose eyes tend to dart around back and forth rapidly. This works for his character as it gives a tinge of the character maybe being mentally deranged. Watching the film I thought repeatedly that his character would strike out violently against others or himself. It almost wasn’t his role as it was first offered to Frank Black of THE PIXIES luckily he turned it down.

It’s nice to see some character actors in a lot of the roles. It was the first time I had Seen David Patrick Kelly (The Warriors) in a movie in awhile. His one scene was amazing to me. The only scene that felt alive in the whole movie

The story of the film is is of a near mute overweight short order cook who works for his mom at her diner and still lives at home with her. He falls for the new waitress at the diner. His mother disapproves of him even trying to talk to her. His mother dies suddenly in her sleep. He tells no one so things can be like they were and the diner wouldn’t close most importantly it keeps the new waitress around. So they can continue to bond.

This is the first film by James Mangold (WALK THE LINE), it is a cold direction that doesn’t help warm the film up any. The one thing I did love in the film was the soundtrack which I sought out and bought. The music is all by Thurston Moore except for one song by Evan Dando. Formerly of the Lemonheads a band I never really liked, but I did like his contribution to the soundtrack.

At it’s heart the film is a dyslexic love story . Something worth watching on cable.

GRADE: C