Map of the Human Heart (1992)

Fantastic improbabilities, happenstance and the undying bridge of love are part of this romantic fantasy about an Inuit who crosses years, oceans and the ravages of WWII to find his ... See full summary »

Director:

Vincent Ward

Writers:

Louis Nowra, Vincent Ward (story)

Stars:

Jason Scott Lee, Anne Parillaud, Patrick Bergin

3 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Scott Lee	...	Avik
Robert Joamie	...	Young Avik
Anne Parillaud	...	Albertine
Annie Galipeau	...	Young Albertine
Patrick Bergin	...	Walter Russell
Clotilde Courau	...	Rainee
John Cusack	...	The Mapmaker
Jeanne Moreau	...	Sister Banville
Ben Mendelsohn	...	Farmboy
Jerry Snell	...	Boleslaw
Jayko Pitseolak	...	Avik's Grandmother
Matt Holland	...	Flight Navigator
Rebecca Vevee	...	Inuit Cook
Josape Kopalee	...	Inuit Elder
Reepah Arreak	...	Avik's Girlfriend

Storyline

Fantastic improbabilities, happenstance and the undying bridge of love are part of this romantic fantasy about an Inuit who crosses years, oceans and the ravages of WWII to find his childhood love, a Metis girl, but finds that their cultures are the most difficult spaces to gap.

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Plot Keywords:

30 year time span | year 1965 | year 1931 | montreal quebec canada | year 1941 | 

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Taglines:

Born in the magic of youth. Forged by the passions of war. Their love knew no boundaries.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language and a scene of sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Australia UK Canada France

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 May 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Avik e Albertine

Filming Locations:

Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada

Box Office

Gross USA:

$2,806,881

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC), Les Films Ariane, Map Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Inspired by director Vincent Ward's time spent living with the Inuit.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Avik: Holy boy, the cavalry's here.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Memo to the Academy - 1994 (1994)

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Soundtracks

Music for the Royal Fireworks
(uncredited)
Written by George Frideric Handel

User Reviews

A romantic tale of life-long love

I found this to be one of the most romantic movies I've ever seen. It tells the story of Avik, a young Eskimo boy who meets Walter Russell (Patrick Bergin) when Walter comes to map his village. Avik discovers he has Tuberculosis, and Walter takes the young boy to Montreal where he stays at a Catholic hospital. There he meets Albertine, a young girl of mixed French Canadian and Indian blood. They grow attached to each other, in spite of the meddling of one of the nuns, played by Jeanne Moreau. Eventually, Avik and Albertine are separated. Avik returns to his village, and becomes a man. He finds he is ostracized by his fellow tribe, because he has lived too long among the white people.

Avik as an adult is played by Jason Scott Lee. By this time, Canada is involved in World War II, and Avik joins the Air Force and flies on bombing raids. He is reunited with Albertine (Anne Parillaud) in London, who is also in the military. Unfortunately, so is Walter Russell. And it seems that he and Albertine have met and become romantically involved. Avik does not want to interfere in the relationship, because Walter saved his life.

This is a story of two people who are truly in love, but whom the fates keep apart. An old theme, but with a new twist. I found it heart breaking and romantic. I loved the period portrayed. And the love scene atop the blimp is quite something! This film isn't for everyone, but if you like a good romantic tear jerker, this is for you.