What Would You Risk For Love?
Rating: 9/10
Running Time: 96 minutes
UK Certificate: 15
Phillipa Paccard (Cate Blanchett) is a young English school teacher in Italy. Her husband dies from a drug overdose, and she sets out to seek revenge on his drug dealer. She puts a bomb in his office bin, but ends up killing four innocent people when the cleaner takes the bin into the lift, unaware of it's contents. Phillipa is arrested, but falls in love with a young police officer who is acting as her translator in custody. The film tells of their escape and their life on the run, until Phillipa learns just how high is too high.
The opening scene of “Heaven” sees Phillipa Paccard taking flying lessons. She asks the pilot, how high the helicopter could be flown without causing death. This scene has no relevance throughout the film until the closing sequence, where Phillipa and Filippo's love, and their desire to be together, is proven.
Phillipa is devastated by the innocent deaths she has caused; and denies nothing to the police when she is arrested. The police insist however that she is not telling the truth about her motives; and with only Filippo believing her, a relationship begins to form. He helps Phillipa by hatching a plan for her escape. Every day he passes her recorded messages on a Dictaphone detailing the plans; and eventually after it is put into action, they go on the run together.
The use of both the English and Italian languages with subtitles in this film enhances the excitement. The Italian spoken in the police station makes the officers seem extremely powerful and daunting and evokes sympathy for Phillipa. The ease with which Blanchett speaks the language, highlights her immense talent.
This film is gripping, exciting, and highly enjoyable- a must see.
It's Got: A gripping narrative.
It Needs: Perhaps more background on Phillipas husband, whose death was her motive for planting the bomb.
Summary
It will keep you on the edge of your seat.