Cheap Map of the Human Heart (Video) (Jason Scott Lee, Anne Parillaud, Patrick Bergin) (Vincent Ward) Price

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Customer Reviews of Map of the Human Heart

The film stars Jason Scott Lee. I have always admired him... This is the only movie that I can recall seeing him in where he does not do any martial arts / fighting scenes at all. Instead, all is focused on his remarkable acting abilities...

Patrick Bergin also stars as a rather ambiguous character. During most of the movie, one is not quite sure what to think of him. His performance is top knotch.

The film is set over about a 50 year time span (or so): WWI in northern Canada, WWII London and late 1960s northern Canada. The film depicts the story of a Canadian eskimo boy(later played by Lee) who is befriended by a RAF gentleman (Bergin). The boy grows up and becomes a bombadier in the RAF in WWII. Along the way, he falls in love with a mysterious Indian girl.

The movie centers around the (to this day) controversial decision to bomb Dresden, Germany. By the time the option was selected to bomb this venerable city, the war was all but officially over. What made it so controversial was that 900 year old Dresden was not in any way, shape or form a military target. It contained (and still does) Germany's most valued treasures; her best opera houses, museums, art galleries and historical architecture. The lone reason for the bombing lay in the fact that the allies wanted to "teach Germany a lesson" for her audacity. The bombing caused a firestorm in the city which killed more people than the A-bombs of Nagasaki and Hiroshima combined.

It is recommended that anyone who watches this movie also read Thomas Mann's "Dr. Faustus" alongside it. Dresden serves as a likely avatar for the Dresden "soul" which Mann's Faustus (the Nazis) sold to the German Mephistopheles (Hitler). Freeman Dyson's "Disturbing The Universe" and Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse 5" would also be good reads in conjunction with this movie.

This is one of the most lavish and emotionally powerful movies I have ever seen. I would say that it is every bit as pungent as "Saving Private Ryan," only in a different way. The acting, direction and soundtrack are all exquisite. A must see.

Magnificant, compelling, and beautifully photographed.
This love story is one that spans from childhood thru adulthood. Mr. Ward's vision and superb cinematography make this a must see film. It flows evenly, and alternately makes you laugh and cry. The special effects are really well done and the last mission over Dresden are scenes that will haunt you forever. The final scenes are the most revered of the entire film. They are wonderfully done. As Albertine and Avik fly overhead in a balloon, he sees himself dying below on the arctic ice shelf. He was dreaming all of this, and Mr. Ward really knows how to make a movie. The alternating sequences of the mirror shining in their faces thru out the film lend something special to this offering. This is one film, I can watch over and over and never tire of it. My only regret is that is not available on DVD.

Magnificent Movie, Less Than Magnificent DVD
Since the story of "Map of the Human Heart" is found in other reviews on this page, I will focus instead on what makes the film so special and the contents of the DVD.

"Map" is essentially a tried 'n true romantic story of two people who are destined for each other, but separated by fate. What makes this film so wonderful are the spectacular location shots, the superb acting, and the ambition of the storyline.
The most notable sequences are the bombing of Dresden, the "dance" atop the ceiling/roof of the famous Albert Hall theatre, the balloon sequence at the end of the film, and the most indelible site, the love scene atop a barrage balloon. Jason Scott Lee and Ann Parillaud are wonderful in the title roles and Patrick Bergan turns in a really good performance in what may be the most complex character he's ever played (though he does get a "movie star" moment in the film when he dramatically turns around to greet Avik in a London Ballroom).

Special note must be made of the young Avik (Robert Joamie) and Albertine (Annie Galipeau, who possesses an interesting voice to say the least) in the Catholic hospital/school. There is real chemestry present between the actors and it shows. Particularly the scene in which both of them are trying to escape, Albertine gives Avik a knife and says, "Take a part of me.", Avik proceeds to cut off some of her hair, the scene was so moving it left me in tears.

The DVD presentation is really dissapointing considering how long we've had to wait for it. While the movie itself is presented in clean widescreen (using the European cut from what I understand, it's about five minutes longer than the American version), the only extras are four deleted scenes. Three of which take place when Avik & Albertine are at the Catholic hospital/school. Apparently, the "Bunny Ears" deleted scene must be rather infamous considering a promo shot from it is used on the DVD cover. The scene itself looks like it never made it to a preview audience (the film is unprocessed) and it ends with a urination bit that left my jaw on the floor. The deleted scene with Avik tearing a hole through a wall is rather nice, ending with him and Albertine playfully kissing each other.

It's rather puzzling that there were no other extras like a photo gallery (promo photos were used on the menu pages), cast & crew bios, and production notes were put in, in lieu of a director's commentary (which I can understand may have been difficult to get).

"Map of the Human Heart" is one of the finest films ever made that vitually no one has seen. It's well worth seeking out and adding to your collection. Trust me, you will not be dissapointed.