Customer Reviews

Bulletproof Heart (aka Killer) [VHS]

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

 

 

This haunting film noir melodrama from Canada should be called, simply,"Irony". When you go back over it afterwards, you'll see all the many little twists and tugs. It requires at least one or two more goings over to fully appreciate the poetic justices and injustices visited upon the anti-hero and his fellow night dwellers. Anthony Lapaglia is, as usual, outstanding, only in a far more restrained vain. His New York/New Jersey hit-man has "lost" his "way", as his aging veteran boss, played by the flawless Peter Boyle, guesses. Young, good-looking, wealthy, unattached-Mick would seem to have the world by the tail, if only it weren't for the fact that he kills people for a living and as of late is having trouble finding meaning in life. He is gotten to the point, in fact, where he toys with killing for no reason-a dangerous line for him to cross, as pointed out by George. Experiencing this torment of the soul after his last hit- a "fiasco", where he had to make a second, successful attempt on the mark-George nonethless begs him to do a hit that same night on a woman for whom George has come to feel extreme affection. (You'll find out why.) Mick reluctantly agrees, bringing along his loose cannon of a best friend, played with whiny innocence by that adorable goof, Matt Craven. Now for the first big twist: the edgy woman, played with uniquely approachable, very real glamour by Mimi Rogers, knows its coming,and has resigned herself to it. In fact, as we find out, she wants to die. You'll have to see it to find out why. When you realize what is going on, your heart will go thump. This goes from quirky film noir to Shakespeare in one deft moment during a most unusual picnic. The story and cast take this film to a conclusion that is sure to shock you, but shouldn't really surprise you. You'll see the nifty clues director Mark Malone has scattered throughout the flick upon later viewings. As warned by others, take the video all the way through past the final credits to the epilogue. The lesson will hit you full in the face, and probably disturb your sleep that night.

This is one that seems to have slipped under the radar, yet is one of the most unusual, moving, films of its genre. Anthony LaPaglia, who's played mob hitmen before, subtly adds an intriguing twist to his usual fine performances. Mimi Rogers, another underappreciated talent, like LaPaglia, who even reduced Rush Limbaugh to speechlessness, portrays an icy beauty who knows full well how she is able to influence men. She just can't turn it off. The Noir influence here touches everything, even the actors who all wear an ironic, world-weary mask, down to the cryptic title cards. Even the opening song, "Love is all Around" used more sentimentally in "4 Weddings and a Funeral" is a deadpan anthem to characters who long since stopped feeling anything. Why does Mick fall for Fiona, despite having been on 'jobs' before? It can't be just the sex scene, although interesting for the power exchange. Is Fiona so vulnerable? Once her secret is revealed it would appear that way. Just watch the moment in the warehouse when she whispers in Archie's ear. What about Archie, the bumbling, would-be assistant? The movie seems to hinge on what should be done, needs to be done, as when Fiona begs a trembling Mick "Be brave for me, my darling," and Archie crowing "I'm a guy" are for all the wrong reasons. The climax is shocking enough, but the coda, rolling after the final credits, will have you creeped out for days.

Anthony LaPaglia is an extremely successful hit man who is hired to whack Mimi Rogers. Problem is that THIS hit man, way down deep inside, is a lonely romantic, and is smitten by his mark. If you think you've heard this one before, think again. Very unusual, very romantic, and a love story that you will never forget. Mimi also shows us how tough a woman can be.

It's been awhile since I've seen this movie, but I still remember the way that it hit me quite vividly... This movie stands out in my mind because of the depth with which the main characters are played. Both Anthony LaPaglia and Mimi Rogers do a superb job in their parts... LaPaglia as the hitman with a heart, and Rogers as the woman awaiting death. Both of them are caught in such hopeless lives, and their methods of dealing with them are heartbreaking to watch...

This is one of those films where the characters grab you, and for some strange reason you feel like you can understand them, despite all the seeming differences... This movie will haunt you if you let it.

I first saw this film on VHS during my Anthony LaPaglia infatuation. That phase is long over yet this remains one of my top 20 films of all time. I bought it again on DVD and still really love it when I feel like life is kicking me just for the fun of it. What gets me every time is the cat and mouse game fate plays with all the characters.

Anthony LaPaglia has made a career of playing soulful, shopworn Italian-American characters. It's hard to imagine that he's in fact Australian. This role is the epitome of world weary. His character is so far from being alive, it's a wonder he hasn't yet offed himself. He's a careful and therefore successful assassin. Understandably reticent when asked to take a job with "no prep, no scopeout", he does so only to honor the request of his friend and business acquaintance. A man used to having, and in fact being the final word, he is stunned into contemplation and action by the woman who is to be killed. He's never met someone so alive and yet so intent on dying. LaPaglia invests his character with first an eerie detachment followed by a growing hope that ends with utter hearbreak. The look on his face in the final scene before the credits is priceless. If your heart doesn't break for him, it should.

Mimi Rogers lends both a perfect calm and worldweariness to her character. It would have been easy for her to come across as bizarre, trite or puzzling. As it is, she pulls off the mix of intent command and detachment. She leaves no doubt how she could inspire the kind of slavish devotion she does. Her will is what drives the piece and it is unbending.

What makes the film amazing is that there are really only 5 characters in the story. The world is fully realized and recognizable but you have the sense that somehow reality left a vaccuum for these 5 people to fill.

If you like noir and are not put off by the fairly intense sex scene in the first half hour, you might just give this hidden gem a try.

This is one film to definitely add to your collection. This is one of the best acted pieces of work I have ever seen. LaPaglia is one of the best character actors around. Look at his face during the scene where he has to shoot Rodgers. And he, for the first time ever, finds he just cannot do it!! He is so believable in his conflict. This is Rodgers most powerful performance I have seen. She needs more roles like this because I haven't seen her in that many films. She was so manipulative and yet somehow vulnerable as was Lapaglia. Do yourself a favor and add this gem to your collection!!!

This is a dark tragic tale of love. The story centers around a veteran cold-calculating professional hit-man Mick, played by Anthony LaPaglia and a beautiful femme fatale Fiona, played by Mimi Rogers.

If you are either a Mimi Rogers or Anthony LaPaglia fan, you will enjoy this movie. The supporting cast is excellent. The movie is dark and atmospheric.

Mick is asked to knock off Fiona. A girlfriend of George, a mob boss played by Peter Boyle. George is crazy about Fiona and cannot bring himself to do the job. Fiona is going to testify to the District Attorney first thing in the morning. She must be killed before morning. Also she wants to be killed. Mick along with his bungling partner Archie, played by Matt Craven accepts the assigment. Mick meets Fiona at her apartment. He is intrigue by her personality and beauty. She seduces him. As the night moves on Mick falls in love with Fiona. He becomes ambivalent about his assignment. But Fiona remains obsessed with dying. Mick tries to find out why. Mick has fallen in love with Fiona and tries to convince her to live. Dawn approaches, the moment of truth arrives. The ending is surprising, shocking, and gut wrenching. This movie will leave you haunted. Be sure to watch the final scenes after the closing credits.

This is a terrific film. Saw it in theatre; have it on VHS format. Put it on DVD; put soundtrack on CD. Please!

This review is for the Amazon VOD rental of this film. This film is excellent for
the first ninety minutes or so and then it kind of peters out for me. A killer hired
to off a woman falls in love with her instead. All the actors are very good. Anthony
LaPaglia is a fine actor and Mimi Rodgers is one beautiful woman. Peter Boyle adds a
lot with his role. This film is well worth the $2.99 rental price but I think the last
half hour keeps a good film from very a great film.

This must be one of the most predictable and stupid movies I have seen in my entire life!