Almost Heaven (2005) User Reviews (2)

Ah, Jamaica, work ethic is not your forte

[socrates99 · 8/10 · 27 April 2006]

Heike Makatsch as Helen Schuster is dying. And if there's any chance for her to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a country western singer, it's now that's she's been invited to Nashville. We forgive her inattentiveness in getting on her plane out of Germany, because there's something very winning about this vulnerable woman with her cowgirl hat and barely passable voice. And so it begins, with Helen meeting a Jamaican woman, Nikki Amuka-Bird as Rosie who epitomizes the kind of island attitude you see for real all over the Caribbean.

This is mostly a movie about the relationship of Helen and Rosie though husbands and friends play important roles as well. The two main characters influence each other to higher levels in a believable and entertaining way. I'd see another film with Heike in it on the strength of this performance alone, and I look forward to seeing Nikki as a doctor in the upcoming remake of The Omen as that will be completely on the other end of the spectrum! Heike especially has a wonderful way about her that makes you wish you could be with her.

A good antidote for ennui.

[caseyjwolf · 9/10 · 29 December 2007]

How many times have we seen movies about someone whose dreams are frustrated, fighting for the chance to realize those dreams? Often. And often, too, an element of urgency is added by making this person one who is terminally ill.

In this version of that theme, a German woman has no wish but to sing in Nashville once before she dies. She is diverted to Jamaica and forced by circumstances to stay there long enough to notice that there is more happening right here and now than either her dream or her death. Her antagonist and co-protagonist is a Jamaican woman who is struggling with her own circumstances in a less than effective way.

The setting is colourful and provocative. The performances of the main characters and the struggles they face are convincing and affecting.

A couple of minor plot elements are indicated enough to be understood but not developed fully enough to be completely effective--no doubt the details can be found on a cutting room floor. The only addition I would have wished for would be a slight filling out of the characters' pasts, to increase the impact of their current circumstances. However, this is a minor criticism of a generally excellent film.

In total, an engaging, entertaining, and uplifting film; a good antidote for ennui.