Customer Reviews

Heaven's Prisoners [Import]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is quite simply a 4-star production of a 5-star book. Many people only rented a copy to fast forward straight to the Teri Hatcher nude scene, while some actually wanted to see the screen adaptation of a wonderful book by James Lee Burke.

Many seem to attack Alec Baldwin's portayal of the lead character, Dave Robicheaux, but I actually think he did a very respectable job. Sure his Cajun accent wasn't 100% dead on, but that isn't all that makes a character. The Robicheaux character, throughout the series of books, is a flawed character that is full of heart and that is exactly how it comes across on-screen. It seems as if every other role was perfectly cast, especially the role of Claudette (played by Teri Hatcher). Every last detail is done perfectly, from the accent down to the sultry demeanor.

The plot brings plenty of action scenes, with many scenes that bring out emotion. If the production studio hadn't been nearly broke when this movie was made (and subsequently put on the shelf for a couple of years), therefore going vastly unpublicized, it would have been more successful at the box office. Don't let the numbers fool you, this is quite a film.

The Teri Hatcher balcony scene sure helps too!

Like reviewer "tokieyasu", I have read all of J.L.Burke's books, and have "fanticized" with friends about who should play Dave!! I'm not kidding! And , we both, "tok and us", came up with the same name! Tommy Lee Jones!!! So, Tommy Lee. are you listening. reading?? Alec Baldwin in "Heaven's Prisoners" was OK, but he is definitely too young!!! Dave is older than me, and I'm 58!! I know this because of his dates of attending college (briefly) and his total resume, and particularly, his out-look on South La.! I am a South La. native! And I have met at least 5 people who could play Dave Robicheaux, if they were actors, and another 5 who "think" they're Dave Robicheaux!!!So, all you powers that be, get with it! Let's make "Electric Mist" -one of our favorites- with Tommy Lee Jones!

I saw this movie a couple of years ago and was so disgusted with it that to this day I still tell people that it was the worst movie I've ever seen. Nothing in the plot made any sense. It seemed that the whole 'conflict' with the drugdealers could have resolved in the first five minutes of the movie. It was quite apparent that the character's actions were motivated solely by the fact that a movie needed to be made. In other words, there was no character development and everything that happened in the movie only happened because it was a movie and would never apply in reality or anywhere else other than this incredibly long and frusterating movie. I would urge anyone who is even remotely considering watching this movie to at once put an end to those thoughts so s/he will be spared 2 hours of torture.

I have read all of James Lee Burke's David Robicheaux novels. They are fantastic and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for some good reading.

While reading the books I have often tried to pictures which actors could play Robicheaux. A few come to mind: Bruce Willis, Tommy Lee Jones, Harrison Ford and Alec Baldwin. In fact, Baldwin was the guy I pictured the most in the role. And I was amazed to find out he actually was starring and producing the film.

For whatever reasons the film does not fully work. The acting, casting and direction are great. But the film just does not cut it.

If you are fans of the books, the movie is interesting just to see visually what we have been picturing in all these novels. If you are unfamiliar with the books you will find the movie average at best.

My advice is to read some of the books and then check out the film.

if you are looking for a movie that will take your mind off politically correct topics or movies that make social statements, this is a good movie. it is full of suspense, action and drama and although alex baldwin is not one of my favorite actors, i really liked him in this movie because he acted very well. as a matter of fact, i am not too fond of anyone in this movie, but i liked the action and drama.

Overall, I thought this was one of the best crime-genre movies I've ever seen. I feel Baldwin was a good selection to play the main character. Maybe his accent is not perfect, but it ranks among his best performances. It is interesting to watch his subtleties in interacting with different types in the movies, be they cops or criminals. Baldwin is able to combine the strong imposing physical presence and a caring aspect that makes the movie interesting and very entertaining.

The cinematography and music score add to the artsy, film-noir ambience. You'll get more out of it after the second or third viewing. I was lucky enough to see it first at the big screen back in '96. Highly recommended.

My main problem with the movie is the casting of Alec Baldwin as the lead character. He is miscast, and should stick to the pretty boy characters he usually plays. His attempt at a bayou accent is ludicrous, for example. Surprisingly, Terri Hatcher does a convincing job in her role. My advice? Read the book, and skip the video.

I watched this video for one reason. Teri Hatcher. And just because of that it was one of the best movies I ever saw. Because of Teri Hatcher.

An alcoholic ex-cop takes on the drug lords, and because of this macho mission, he stupidly gets his wife killed; for that we are to feel that he is a hero??

For those of you that watch this movie just because Teri Hatcher bares all, you're going to be disappointed. That scene only lasts 2 seconds, and you will then realize that she looks a whole lot better with her clothes on.

Now, I know the above sounds cliche, but in this case, it's really true. I give the movie four stars for atmosphere and for really trying. I watched this movie twice and enjoyed it both times, for the cinematography alone-- which captures everything from the dense, powerful nature of the Louisiana swamps and bayous; to the gothic power of Louisiana Roman Catholic churches; to the cracked, decaying but colorful beauty of New Orleans itself. And where the movie stuck to the book, it was a very good adaptation. Baldwin falls a bit short in his characterization of Robicheaux, looking more often like he was having "digestive" problems than internal angst, but he obviously loves the character and does his best to depict a very internalized personality. Eric Roberts, by no means matching the physically imposing power of the novel's Bubba Rocque, gives his character the dark, attractive charisma and vitality that author James Lee Burke so often infuses the "gray" characters Robicheaux encounters in the novels, and adds some fun and zing to it, as well. Teri Hatcher is damn nasty, beautiful and seductive in the femme fatale role, and Masterson pulls off her role with just the right amount of sympathy and sass (though physically, each actress matches her opposite character in the novel, but it's not a problem here). It's unfortunate that Kelly Lynch doesn't give Robicheaux's doomed wife such memorable character, but in the novel series the character has one entire book behind her before her tragic end. The real problems come with the Hollywood ending-- why they did this instead of the more realistic and affecting ending in the novel, I'll never know (I recommend you read the book to find out-- it's a much more satisfying and telling conclusion). And the connection to the Giacano family, a recurring Robicheaux nemesis in some of the novels, but not the one on which the movie based, was unnecessary. However, the highly action-packed trolley car and rooftop chase, a purely cinematic addition to the novel's plot does work, very well, in my opinion. These kind of additions are needed for the big screen and I appreciated it. Lastly, the production was very good (Baldwin was one of the producers of the film), just as in Baldwin's "The Shadow" movie, which suffered ultimately from a poor script, and I have to commend him-- this movie very much seemed a labor of love. I wish this film had been more successful, because seeing other installments of James Lee Burke's Robicheaux series on the big screen would be very welcome to me, but alas, despite the "good ol' college try" this will never be. But do pick up the movie and watch it for what it does offer, and then get hold of the Burke novels and you'll really be in for a treat.