Buster's Mal Heart

I don't want to give away any spoilers: this movie was terribly predictable.

I seldom review movies, but couldn't resist on this one. The actors did great, and all the technical elements were well done for sure, BUT- Who is the person who would say they enjoyed this movie? Yes there is a heavy psychological metaphor/symbolism thing going on here, but it is so camouflaged and vague that there isn't a payoff for figuring it out, which could be technically impossible actually since the ending is so cryptic and unsatisifying (and depressing.)If you like long, slow-paced moves about desperate characters doing unscrupulous things, or enjoy keeping track of multiple timelines that don't seem to resolve in the end, or plot twists that infuriate viewers and make them resent the filmmakers after sticking it out to the end- then I guess movies like this are made for you. It's probably one of those "the book was SOooo much better!" kinds of movies, but I'm disinclined to seek out any book if it happens to exist, especially knowing the lame ending.Most viewers probably wouldn't agree on this mash-up, but here's what came to me while watching this dreary stinker: The Shining meets Life of Pie meets Fargo. Note, those three films are masterpieces, Buster's Mal Heart is certainly not.If you are tempted to give this one a try and haven't seen the film Memento yet, then the choice is clear. Run don't walk!

This is one of those thought-provoking films loaded with symbolism that, as soon as it's over, you want to watch it again to pick up on all the clues you missed the first time. Overall I thought it had a Twilight Zone feeling, an "Am I awake or asleep?" or a "What is real?" vibe. Jonah/Buster (Rami Malek) is alternatively pathetic and creepy and you don't know if you want to give him a hug or slap him. There are lots of Biblical allusions but this is not a religious film in that it doesn't push any agenda or beliefs. I think the negative reviews might be from people who either don't understand the story and the subtle hints, or from people who only want to see Malek as Mr. Robot for the rest of his life.

As an artist, I very much enjoyed the ambiguity of this film. If you prefer stories that wrap up nicely, this may not be a story that you will particularly enjoy. The acting, cinematography, and sound score are wonderful and strong. This film gives its viewers much to take in, and I imagine that everyone will walk away with a slightly different experience. Buster's Mal Heart evokes the same sort of excitement and inquiry that I often feel when watching contemporary modern concert dance; absorbing the sensations and emotions emitted and allowing that to inform you as well as what you see. You may never know *exactly* what the work is about, and there is a good chance that it is intentionally crafted that way.

Do yourself a favor and watch this film. Quirky, odd, a bit confusing and a tad dark but humorous all at the same time, Buster's Mal Heart is a film you won't stop thinking about long after you've seen it. On the surface it's a tragic tale of one man's search for the meaning of life, but it ends redeeming itself with the satisfaction of freeing the title character from the grips of the dialectical experience of being human. Superbly acted by Rami Malek and brilliantly written and directed by Sara Adina Smith, Buster's Mal Heart will get in you and won't let you go.

Most folks will probably need to watch in full more then once, in order to understand what was really happening and why the film characters all chose the choices that they made.

The movie got off to a quick pace with symbolism and developing character. I thought "wow, an ambitious pace for a 2 hour movie." But it never let up. Constant imagery was captivating and a great usher- Sure, I haven't connected all the dots yet. But the dots were presented fairly and for me to ponder. A nice work of art. I wish this movie was 3 hours instead of just 2!

This film opens your mind to many Questions Are we all just cogs in the big wheel known as life ? Round and round we go , what's the reason what's the journey? I enjoy movies that make you think , open your mind to all possibilities . Well written and directed and Rami malek was heartbreaking ,and thought-provoking and even ironically hysterical in his first leading role .It's worth watching more than once.