KeithKinsala

I watched this before my son was born in 2005, and to this day no movie gets my anxiety going this bad. This is exactly what it was like for me at the time - just scared of everything, not knowing what to do, the mind's either blank or running a-billion thoughts per second. Babies were monsters when in such a terrible headspace. Being on my own was a very real fear. Seeking salvage from a big-cheeked girl didn't happen, my girlfriend would've killed me, but the sentiment for any sort of salvage was there.

"Ruined Heart: Another Lovestory Between a Criminal & a Whore" is without the need for language and all the better for it. The story's quite simple and right there in the title - a criminal and a whore are in love within this world where the grit and grime are made to feel almost comforting; fueled of course by sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll and ultimately the tragedy that comes along at the end of it all. It's a common story that's been told many times through words, for better or worse in the cinematography department.

Khavn doesn't hold back in his love for this story's setting, allowing the viewer to feel at home as he feels when he watches similar stories play out on-screen. The soundtrack is a slew of punk/pop-punk and different variations of the song "Ruined Heart" (made for the film, of course) and can really nestle the viewer's feelings from upbeat to somber, if they tend to be geared toward this style of music. The takeaway here isn't the story - God no - it's too common and going into this (or really many films of this genre) for the story is kind of a mistake. The story is more an excuse to give you these filthy yet tender set pieces, shot beautifully and with care, with physical montages from the actors, all set to invoke the affection for these insane moments in the lives of those who dwell in the criminal underbelly.

Maybe I'm just in the minority here, but "Ruined Heart" was so warm and easy to grasp. I've watched it on many rainy days now and it still hasn't fallen out of style for me. If this review reaches no one, I'd at least like to thank everyone who participated in the making of this film. You've given me something dear.

Have you seen the very well-done film "Il Mare" or the okay-ish movie "The Lake House" and thought to yourself, "Y'know, I would like this animated, done worse and in a glittery traced setting with a few music videos thrown in"? This is the animated movie for you.