Lumina_Astra

A dizzying collection of family scenes from the POV of husbands, wives, lovers and friends set to the backdrop of lyrics and melodies that are intrinsic to the broad, musical fabric of American life. Some scenes might hit you in the gut for their ability to stage passages of life in such vivid and descriptive tableaus that you risk getting the air sucked right out of you. Yes, you might cry as did I - but only if you know love, parenthood, life and death in all of its pain and glory.

"Queen of Hearts" brings you front and center to witness firsthand the maneuverings and manipulations of a feral and ferocious female narcissist. You will gasp and cringe in your seat at the lengths to which the main actress, Trine Dyrholm, goes to hide her misdeeds. This is neither the first nor the last film that showcases a full-blooded narcissist, and narcissists are predictable, but it differs by delivering a stunning in-depth insight into the volcanic and corrupted mechanizations of the narcissistic mind. Sooner or later we all meet a certain Queen or King of Hearts. They walk among us looking and acting deceptively normal. Behind the normal façade is a web of cunning lies and deceptive ploys with one goal in mind: to always and forever be the Queen or the King regardless the cost. If you are open minded this film will give you subtle tips on how to avoid or recognize this kind of behavior and make you reflect on whether you have narcissistic traits yourself. Trine Dyrholm plays the part with such fierce conviction that it sends chills down your spine. This she-devil deserves an Oscar for her performance.

On some level, The English Harem is supposed to mirror reality, however the story takes sudden twists that are increasingly improbable. Islam is represented as a Disneyland state-of-mind while key characters and plot elements become more and more distorted into a theater of the absurd. Half way through the film I simply gave up in utter frustration at the sheer stupidity I was witnessing. Theoretically, The English Harem had potential, but instead unfolds into a truly embarrassing waste of time. It never ceases to amaze me that actors willing play roles and speak lines that they undoubtedly know deep down in their soul are totally brain dead.