markmei

IMDb member since July 2001
    Lifetime Total
    1+
    IMDb Member
    22 years

Reviews

Heater
(1999)

A fine example of Canadian Filmmaking
This film is enthralling, although somewhat stale compared to a higher budget release. The film is a deep look into all people, and as far as I can tell has little to do with being homeless.

In the movie, the man finds a baseboard heater - whether it be stolen or not, it makes little difference. The entire movie deals with a man trying so hard to sell this heater, all the while guarding it from other people who also want to sell it. Money seems to be his biggest objective. He has found a gift, and tries so hard to sell, all the while never thinking how it may benefit him (until the end of course).

I see it as a parallel to our everyday lives. We have all been given a precious gift - life. We spend our most of our lives either preparing to, or selling ourselves. We are too caught up trying to profit from something that was meant to be enjoyed. The movie is trying to get us to take a closer look at what is meaningful to us. Sometimes what is most important is completely overlooked.

This film was by far the most moving and eclectic piece I have ever seen. Its grey and independent feel make it that much more symbolic, almost giving away the fact that this movie isn't about entertainment. Also, the narrative in this film is very slim. The camera angles tell a story that words could never describe. The bitter cold Winnipeg winter paint a dull backdrop, leaving very little colour and again drawing our attention to detail.

I will see this movie again, and praise it all the more.

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