The Burnt Orange Heresy

I enjoyed this rather strange film. The dialog and some of the characters were a bit odd but that's what made this thing watchable. Good performances from everyone, especially from the main actor who played James. Overall, a decent watchable film with a bit of a Hitchcock style...you might like it. :-)

The Burnt Orange Heresy isn't a film for the masses, but it's enjoyable enough. It's recommended viewing for those who enjoy independent cinema and who aren't offended by a little on-screen rumpy pumpy.

Take 4 Actors that are Talented, Eye-Pleasing, and Mysterious.

Put Them in Front of Interesting European Scenery.

Reciting Dialog that Intrigues, Stings, and Swells the Plot.

You may Not have a Masterpiece, but a Damn Good Art-World Scam that is Ripe for Soul Snatching and Fallen Angels.

An Art-Critic that "Talks about art better than he makes it".

Echoing the Standard "He who can't do teaches", makes a Living being a Con-Artist Lessoning and Pick-Pocketing Tourist in Italy.

He Dreams of an Opportunity to Really Cash-In.

Enter Wealthy, Aging, but Ageless Mick Jagger as a "Real" Mover and Shaker.

He Takes Advantage of the Porous, Pretentious People in the World of High-Priced Art Work.

A Man who is Not Interested in the Work but What the Work can Put in His Pocket.

The Critic has with Him a Beauty that has Done A Few Things and Seen a Few Things.

They Match Wits and Bodily Fluids.

She is also a Kind-Soul that Instantly Charms World Renowned Artist and Recluse, Donald Sutherland.

The Famous Painter Finds Her Equally Lovely.

They Hit it Off as Our Antagonist Art-Critic Schemes with Jagger to Get the Unwilling Artist to Give it Up for Posterity.

It's a Wordy Thriller Worthy of a Sit-Down and Appreciate and Old Story Painted with a Modern Eye.

The negative criticisms are understandable, if you are only looking for a drama that spoon feeds you an explanation each step of the way. There are only 4 characters and each is developed brilliantly. The best part is the development of what each character represents with their virtues and vices. Greed is demonstrated as a vice that comes in many forms, whether emotional, physical, mentally or monetarily, and it is clearly pervasive in three of the main characters. Like art, the characters are individually perceived differently by the viewer, as well as by each other. Like art, the movie "moves" the viewers to make a emotional connection to the characters and their motives. And finally, like art, every critic can be equally full of %^#.

This was an intelligent little number that challenged the viewer to decipher it's intricacies and work out the relationship of the characters.

I thought it did a good job of revealing the characters slowly over the first half and slowly their cracks started to show. Greed, perception and the lengths one will go to achieve his desire and the other will go to provide it.

As someone commented it won't suit all viewers because there is no spoon feeding or a tidy ending. The viewer must determine the motivation of each character. The addition of Mick Jagger (or should I say Sir Michael) was an interesting choice. At first I thought his lines were delivered in stilted uneven manner. But the way he fit his character like a well worn high street suit I thought this is his world. The world of high end art, servants and connections we can only dream of is where he is most comfortable. And it showed. His larger than life facial features and consistent delivery was disarming at times. I wish he'd made more movies. The main characters were a joy to watch and Donald Sutherland is a most underrated actor. What a terrific ensemble.

The ending felt a bit rushed and wasn't revealed as artfully as the start of the movie but enjoyable none the less. A second watch is guaranteed.

A 7 because it's a wonderful movie to trip over in a sea of banality that is coming out of Hollywood at the moment. More please.