The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things (2004)

Seven-year-old Jeremiah is pulled from his foster home and thrown into a troubled life on the road with his teenage mother, Sarah.

Director:

Asia Argento

Writers:

Laura Albert (short stories) (as J.T. LeRoy), Asia Argento (screenplay)

Stars:

Asia Argento, Dylan Sprouse, Cole Sprouse

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Asia Argento	...	Sarah
Jimmy Bennett	...	Young Jeremiah
Kara Kemp	...	Social Worker #1
Brent Almond	...	Cop #1
David Dwyer	...	Cop #2
Kip Pardue	...	Luther
Jeremy Renner	...	Emerson
David Brian Alley	...	Doctor (as David Alley)
Lydia Lunch	...	Social Worker #2
Ornella Muti	...	Grandmother
Dylan Sprouse	...	Older Jeremiah
Cole Sprouse	...	Older Jeremiah
Peter Fonda	...	Grandfather
John Robinson	...	Aaron
Lindy Maguire	...	Girl

Storyline

The dysfunctional twenty-three-year-old Sarah takes her six-year-old natural son Jeremiah from the home of his beloved foster parents with the support of the social service to live with her. Along the years, the boy shares her insane and low lifestyle and is introduced to booze and drugs and mentally, physically and sexually abused by Sarah, her lovers and her religiously fanatic family.

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Plot Keywords:

child abuse | child molester | written and directed by cast member | prostitute | pedophile | 

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Taglines:

Behind the greatest hoax of our time is the heartbreaking story that started it all.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for intense depiction of child abuse/neglect, strong sex and drug content, pervasive language and some violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

The montage of Sarah's boyfriends are actually men whom Asia met and dated during filming. At one point, there a still image of Vin Diesel, whom Asia did not date but admitted that she fancied.

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Goofs

When Chester stumbles out of the meth lab after the explosion, he is obviously severely burnt as evidenced by his face. Yet the white embroidery on his black leather vest is undamaged in any way.

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Quotes

Sarah: Get the fuck outta here you possessed piece of shit!

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Connections

References Deep Throat (1972)

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Soundtracks

Baby Doll
Written by Danny Doll Rod (as Daniel Kroha)
Performed by Danny Doll Rod
Published by Dog Butt Music (BMI)
Courtesy of Pro A.S.S.

User Reviews

Very sad plot that won't leave you with good feelings

There is something natural yet amazing about the fact that some movies about real, maybe tragic or shocking events have barely touched me - I might have consumed them as light arts - while this fictitious story has recalled so many shocking, depressing facts within a very short time, mainly those newspaper articles you just do not want to read, though you know this are the articles that are to be read, but you're conscious you simply will not read them because they evoke so much helpless anger ... it's within the sad topic itself.

I think the overall strategy of the movie is chosen quite well. The aesthetics, photography and visuals of this movie reflect the world of the and confused child mother: this pictures are somewhat clichés of those typical highway movies: cool music, a music clip feeling, hard rock cafes, violence and cheap lust, passing road markings. I think it's a good strategy for this movie: it's the atmosphere from this glaring movies you would normally consider as cool "trash" and you might expect Dennis Hopper appearing. But this time the scenery will enclose a plot that will not give you just an amazing story, some thrills or good "sounds & visuals", but a real punch in the gut.

As said before: this movie is depressing. It's surely not the best selection if you plan to have a popcorn movie session with your friends (well, it depends on you).

If you are interested in the topic of child abuse or if you are convinced that arts are not just for entertainment and escapism, but may confront yourself with oppressive themes of the real life, you might want to watch this one.

Details

Country:

USA UK France Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 January 2005 (France)

Also Known As:

The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things

Filming Locations:

Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,000, 12 March 2006

Gross USA:

$29,058

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$217,499

Company Credits

Production Co:

Above All Things Inc., Artist Film, Metro Tartan Distribution Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min 97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1