Customer Reviews

Bitter Harvest

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

`Bitter Harvest' released in '01 is a fascinating blending of an enchanting Irish countryside circa '24, first love and what could have been a life of quiet contentment for the citizens of the town of Skillet if not for the obsessive, irrational mindset of one mean-spirited local named Harry (Colm Meaney).

Harry is convinced that the measure of his personal greatness is measured by his enemies. Hence he decides to make the most successful man in the community his chosen adversary. Fueled by a series of dreams in which he envisions himself turning into a great tree, he devotes himself to his hatred as though fueled by a revelation from God.

`Bitter Harvest' is cinematically mesmerizing with an excellent soundtrack and wonderful performances by the entire cast. Cillian Murphy delivers a strong, though understated performance and Kerry Condon is lovely as his love interest Eileen. However the magic in this film is conjured up by Colm Meaney. Following the bizarre journey of Harry's mental machinations in an effort to destroy his would-be adversary is what makes this film so enthralling.

As an American, it took me a bit to get used to the language of rural Ireland in the 1920's, but this film draws you into a world that seems not at all foreign after a while. Unlike the relentlessly depressing "The Field", this is a drama of real tragedies - the small, silly tragedies that we create and that are created for us- and also, of real hope. The original Irish title of this film "How Harry Became a Tree" is so much more fitting than the US "Bitter Harvest" (what were they thinking?), though fortunately the brilliant allegory of the tree is not lost with the title change. Performances are universally outstanding and poignant, the photography beautiful, the music haunting. See this film and see how the Irish continue to astonish with their mastery of language and vision.

This is the kind of movie Hollywood needs to start making. I'm so sick of American films. Blowing up buildings, sex scenes that really don't fit the film, violence for no reason. I'm enjoying films from other countries more and more and this one is fantastic. A human story told beautifully and the acting is just wonderful. None of that Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise acting but real true acting. The actors are just real ppl they aren't barbie or ken dolls, they have crooked teeth and real bodies. In addition to the fact they can really act. This is a wonderful original story and you would be a fool not to add this your collection.

Amazon did it again. The ad said this was Bitter Harvest with Patsy Kensit and Jennifer Rubin. It's not. When this switch happened before on another movie, I thought it was the seller's fault. The seller explained that they provide movie information to Amazon, who sometimes mistakes which movie is which when they write the ad. This time, at least, they provided the box cover, which I should've read to realize that these are two entirely different movies.

Irish movies are entertaining just because they are so different than movies made in the states. Cillian Murphy is the reason I bought it and will continue to buy his movies.

If you like the Baldwin brothers and their acting along with a story mostly about Hot Sex, nudity, murder, you name IT, this is the film for you. Patsy Kensit (Jolene),"Shelter Island,"03, teases and pleases Stephen Baldwin(Travis)"In My Sleep",03, who plays the innocent virgin and enjoys all the tempting things Jolene does to him. Jennifer Rubin (Kelly Ann),"Playmaker",'94, is another gal who enjoys Travis and seems to also like Jolene in bed. You even have Adam Baldwin (Bobby),"Betrayal",'03, the so called police officer trying to do his duty and wonders why Travis is getting all the loving and affection. This film has lots of surprises, like just plain throwing certain people into a Hot Flaming Fire! I did notice that the director of this film, Duane Clark, has produced many TV Series for CSI, Miami and Las Vegas and also the film, "The Shaking Tree",'92.

I bought this movie because of Cillian Murphy. That's not why i like it though. Colm Meaney was extraordinary in this movie. The things he does to get back at his enemy is comical at times. The scenes with Cillian are funny to watch because of his character and his relationship with his wife. The ending though is a sad one. The movie is enjoyable.