The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things

The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things is a film from 2004 directed and co-written by Asia Argento. The story, based on a novel by JT LeRoy, follows the troubled life of Jeremiah, a young boy who is taken away from his foster parents and placed in the care of his biological mother, Sarah. The film is a raw and intense portrayal of child abuse, neglect, and abandonment, as Jeremiah navigates through a world of addiction, poverty, and unstable relationships.

The movie opens with a series of disturbing images: a young Jeremiah (played by Jimmy Bennett) is seen alone in a dark room, playing with a knife and singing a creepy song. It becomes clear from the start that something is deeply wrong with the boy's life. We soon learn that Jeremiah has been living a relatively stable life with his foster parents, but his mother Sarah (played by Asia Argento) shows up one day and takes him away, claiming that she's clean and sober and is ready to be a mother again.

From the moment they reunite, it's clear that Sarah is in no way capable of caring for a child. She's deeply addicted to drugs and alcohol, and is constantly on the verge of a breakdown. She takes Jeremiah to live with her various boyfriends, all of whom are abusive and neglectful. Over the course of the film, Jeremiah is subjected to physical and emotional abuse, sexual exploitation, and neglect. He's often left alone for days at a time, forced to fend for himself and find food and shelter however he can.

The film is incredibly bleak and depressing, and there are few moments of hope or happiness for Jeremiah. He's a smart and sensitive child, but he's forced to grow up very quickly in order to survive. He's constantly trying to find a way out of his situation, whether that means running away or seeking help from authority figures. But every time he seems to make progress, he's dragged back into the cycle of abuse and neglect.

One of the most striking elements of the film is its depiction of Sarah as a deeply flawed and damaged person. She's a victim of her own addictions and trauma, and it's clear that she loves her son in her own twisted way. But she's also incredibly selfish and narcissistic, and she uses Jeremiah as a pawn in her own personal dramas. There are moments when she seems genuinely caring and loving towards him, but these are always overshadowed by her destructive behavior.

The film is shot in a raw and gritty style, with lots of quick cuts and shaky camerawork. This creates a sense of urgency and chaos that mirrors Jeremiah's own experience of the world. The soundtrack is filled with moody indie rock and punk songs, which further add to the film's sense of emotional intensity.

The performances in the film are all excellent, especially from the child actors who play Jeremiah at different ages. Jimmy Bennett is particularly impressive as the young Jeremiah, conveying a sense of fear and vulnerability that's heartbreaking to watch. Asia Argento is also very good as Sarah, bringing a complex mix of desperation and detachment to the role.

Overall, The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things is a difficult and harrowing film to watch. It's a stark reminder of the brutal realities faced by many children in our society, and it doesn't offer any easy answers or solutions. But it's also a powerful and important work of art, one that demands our attention and empathy for those who are suffering.