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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Matthew Chapman (written by)
Release Date:
3 March 1989 (USA) more
Tagline:
Between the madness of what is real and the horror of her imagination lies the... Heart of Midnight.
Plot:
Carol(Jennifer Jason Leigh) inherits a night club from her weird uncle. She moves into the place, only to find out just how weird her uncle really was... more | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win more
User Comments:
Stolen dreams and empty futures more (19 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Jennifer Jason Leigh | ... | Carol | |
| Brenda Vaccaro | ... | Betty | |
| Jack Hallett | ... | Lawyer | |
| Nicholas Love | ... | Tom (as Nick Love) | |
| James Rebhorn | ... | Richard | |
| Tico Wells | ... | Henry | |
| Sam Schacht | ... | Uncle Fletcher (as Sam Schact) | |
| Nina Lora | ... | Carol as a Child | |
| Steve Buscemi | ... | Eddy | |
| Frank Stallone | ... | Ledray | |
| Denise Dumont | ... | Mariana (as Denise Dummont) | |
| Peter Coyote | ... | Sharpe / Larry | |
| Jim Geallis | ... | Lt. Sharpe (as James Geallis) | |
| Ken Moser | ... | Ledray's Sidekick | |
| Nicholas Cimino | ... | Boy with Kittens |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
93 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (TVC)
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:16 | New Zealand:R18 | UK:18 | USA:R (certificate #29179) | West Germany:18
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Soundtrack:
Baby, What Else Can I Do more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (19 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Heart of Midnight (1988)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Showing on cable tonight. | djmattn |
| Where's the DVD in the US? | feekly |
| Haunting, powerful and creepy as hell! | Mother_of_Tears |
Recommendations
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| Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me | Wonderland | Too Scared to Scream | Blue Velvet | The Lair of the White Worm |
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Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |

Jennifer Jason Leigh plays a psychologically devastated young woman who has inherited an adult club from her recently deceased uncle. She initially remembers only his kindness to her, and wants nothing to do with his past business life. Her goal is to transform the closed building into a dance club and to try to make it on her own. She sets up housekeeping in her uncle's former living quarters, and pays a contractor to oversee the renovation. The film contains some graphic sexual content, but it adds to the horror rather than plays a purely exploitive role. The story is about the irreparable harm caused by abuse and it is a powerful celluloid indictment of sexual predators who leave few obvious physical scars on their victims.
The movie died a quick box office death. It was not designed for the fans of X-rated fun & games, and it was too dark and unsettling for most regular viewers looking for a pleasant night out. Leigh's character is the only role fully developed. Most of the other acting is B-movie quality at best and the dialogue is often wooden. Nonetheless, her performance and the story are good enough to carry the picture.
The story functions best as a psychological horror story and the cinematography contains some truly frightening visual images of things she sees or thinks she sees. These elements work well to underline her insecurity and instability. They also highlight her courage in trying to make it on her own in a world ready to accept that she is merely weak-minded and unable to cope. The script is not at the same level as that of "Spoorlos" or "Sixth Sense," but it is as good as many quality thrillers. There are very few pictures that deal with this subject area in more than an oblique way and rarely from the perspective of the abused. Give this movie a chance to work. Realism in cinema is hard to find, and this is an imperfect but realistic exploration of a difficult topic.