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| Battle In Heaven |
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List Price: $22.95
Buy New: $16.38
You Save: $6.57 (29%)
Buy New/Used from $16.38
Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 6 reviews)
Sales Rank: 3716
Category: DVD
Director: Carlos Reygadas
Publisher: Tartan Video
Studio: Tartan Video
Manufacturer: Tartan Video
Label: Tartan Video
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: Spanish (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD
Running Time: 95 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
UPC: 842498020166
EAN: 0842498020166
ASIN: B000EZ8ZRG
Release Date: May 9, 2006
Theatrical Release Date: November 30, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Battle In Heaven, Carlos Reygadas follow-up to Japon, opens with a controversial oral sex scene involving beauty, Ana (Anapola Mushkadiz), and the beast, Marcos (Marcos Hernandez). Marcos is Anas chauffeur, who has kidnapped and accidentally killed a baby. Ana, a generals daughter by day and a prostitute by night, confides in Marcos and performs sexual favors for him in order to persuade him to turn himself in. She is too young, however, to understand Marcoss confused mental state, and her sensitive position with him puts her in peril. Set in Mexico City, this tragic drama is as much about failed intimacy as it is about Mexican class structure, as Ana and Marcos attempt to bridge the class gap. A few explicit sex scenes show Marcos in bed with Ana or his wife (Bertha Ruiz), thus garnering it reviews that compare it to The Brown Bunny. In fact, the slow pacing and artsy, self-consciously composed shots do remind one of The Brown Bunny, in that both films are initially interesting but grow dull as their plots take forever to unfold. An intriguing plot is buried under seemingly eternal panoramic shots of the city, painfully slow conversation between characters, and constant close-ups of Marcos face that are meant to capture his angst but only deter narrative. Nevertheless, this films merit is based in its experimental energy, and any director who follows up a graphic sex scene with a cut to the waving of the countrys flag (in this case Mexicos) has my respect. --Trinie Dalton
Description
Marcos (Marcos Hernandez) is the middle-aged chauffeur of Ana (Anapola Mushkadiz), daughter of a Mexican general who amuses herself by working as a prostitute in a high-end brothel. Marcos and his wife (Berta Ruiz) have kidnapped a baby for ransom but it went tragically wrong when the infant died. When he confesses his guilt to Ana, a bond of secrecy consecrated by the flesh unites them. As the police draw closer, she urges him to turn himself in but instead he seeks redemption from a higher power.
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Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
Disturbing? yes. Riveting? yes. June 12, 2006
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I honestly had no clue what to think after first viewing this film. It begins and ends with graphic sex scenes, and the moral tone is ambiguous at best. After all, our two main characters are a middle-aged kidnapper and a rich girl who sells herself for kicks. At times the pacing is tedious, and it's difficult to tell what the characters are feeling because the range of emotions they display is minimal. Despite all this, I found the whole thing fascinating, and when it was over greatly enjoyed watching it again.
In many ways the film is perplexing. It shows us a riveting and intense slice of life, but that slice is presented with minimal context. We know a kidnapping has occurred and the victim has died, but other than that, no details are forthcoming. We're also never told how the (highly unlikely) relationship between the rich girl and her chauffeur began, but it's obvious that it's complicated, emotional, and passionate. Thematically, this is a film about keeping secrets, and what those secrets can do to us. It also has something to say about sin, redemption, and social distinctions.
This isn't a film for the squeamish, or for those who want the story spelled out for them. But, if you can get past that, it's a film that will draw you in, keep you watching, and keep you thinking long after it's over.
Ambivalent June 12, 2006
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
In between the poignant sex scenes between two obese amateur thespians (as husband and wife) and between the protagonist (Marcos Hernandez), and the attractive hooker (Anapola Mushkadiz) - who so happens to be the daughter of a military official he works for, there are some scenes of deep confusion and contemplation.
The cast are all non-actors, and it is evident. The "freshness" that Reygadas is going for is not really there - what we have in its place is just a sense that something is lacking. I tried to get it, but was left lost.
In the scenes were Marcos walks or drives around staring blankly at things - one gets the sense that either the actor was lost or forgot his lines. The story lacked character development but to be fair the stream of consciousness left me thinking about the complexity of the human mind - but that is where it stopped. Am I curious to see Japon? Certainly - but my expectations have changed... who knows?
Miguel Llora
Mexican thriller, with benefits June 3, 2006
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
First of all, the story. A couple kidnap a baby that then dies.
The twist: The man, Marcos is the driver and bodyguard to a general. The general's daughter (Who is gorgeous) spends her evenings working as a prostitute at a high class brothel she calls "The boutique". When Marcos reveals the kidnapping to the girl, the conflict arises.
There is some explicit sex, but it is minimal, and should not detract from anyone's enjoyment of this movie.
There are layers of subtlety here.
Marco's wife earns some money selling all kinds of things in the Mexico subway, among them cakes made with (Eeeek) Sugus. He wears a jacket that identifies him as a security guard.
The contrast between his lifestyle and the upper class lifestyle adds social commentary and depth to the movie.
I recommend it without reservations.
Unconventionally good! May 16, 2006
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I loved Japon and was quite curious about this one. I'm glad i got the chance to own it because it's a great follow up to Japon AND a good promise of a brilliant film career for Carlos Reygadas. I am now a true fan of his work!
He is again using non-professional actors for this film and you would think that that formula would somehow fail but it honestly doesn't! It seems to give the films more heart and soul if anything. It's an unconventional way to approach filmmaking but a brilliant way too if it's done well. And this is done well.
Yes, there are some strong sexual scenes that are also quite unconventional in this film. I can't help but think of it as something that comes to being as real as possible. Mr. Reygadas doesn't have time for delusions. He'll give you the real thing!
Worth Seeing! April 10, 2006
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
This is a really interesting film. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding it (because of certain scenes) which I'm hoping won't scare people off (somehow I don't think it will) but it really is one of those rare movies that gets you talking on so many different levels.
Carlos Reygadas (the director) has a very unique style, which you cannot help but appreciate. Some of the shots in the film are just amazing! Also, I really thought the lead actress, for someone who had never acted before, did a wonderful job! I still cannot decide on the lead male (who had also never acted professionally before) but honestly his performance did not hurt the film any.
What it's about: Basically a chauffeur and his wife kidnap a baby that dies in their care. The chafer confesses his secret to Ana, the daughter of a rich general, who works as a prostitute on the side, and who he drives to her "job." Carlos tries to find redemption through Ana, and ultimately falls in love with her.
It is a very intense film, but absolutely worth seeing, despite the graphic scenes and controversy.
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