In Sydney, the newly married Midori is honeymooning with her husband, Yukio. She does not love him and fakes her own kidnapping to escape the marriage. Her lover is supposed to meet her, but fails to appear. She goes to a bank to get some cash, only to become a hostage in an unfolding robbery, until the getaway driver, Colin, saves her from his fellow robbers. They hit the road together, with the cops, her husband and the robbers in pursuit.
Similar titles
Reviews
There is quite a lot of talk about 'karma' in this film. I undid the cardboard sleeve of Transit starring Jim Caviezel to watch it... and found Heaven's Burning lurking inside instead. Duty bound to see it, I stuck it on... and was quite simply blown away. I must have done something good somewhere. I can't imagine what, though.Due to slightly complex circumstances, Russell Crowe and Yuki Kudo are on the run from the police, Italian mobsters and the Japanese girl's estranged husband. Needless to say, there are a LOT of subtitles in this movie. During their road trip, they meet plenty of bizarre characters and find themselves in odd situations, while falling in love. Always being tracked by their unforgiving pursuers, of course...There's so much to admire here, I don't know where to start. The dialogue is witty, intelligent and all-knowing... especially regarding Australia and Japan relations. The action sequences are minimalist, but expertly shot... who needs a huge budget when you've got a director as talented as this? There is also, thank God, a rich vein of traditional Aussie humour running through which is HILARIOUS unlike say, the shallow stereotypes of something like Red Dog (And I promise NEVER to bring that... thing up in a review ever again).But most of all, it's the performance of one Yuki Kudo and her sizzling chemistry with Crowe that is the standout here. Don't get me wrong... he gives his all in a solid role, but she is the one who is simultaneously adorable and ruthless in an incredible display of acting. I would ask her to marry me, but 17 years later... Nah, she's probably too old. Shame (for her).So, an incredible film, and the biggest surprise since Luton Town almost winning promotion. And if you're reading this, you know that's a direct shout out to you... 8/10
An early effort with Russel Crowe. That's before he became a scowling thug.Still his acting is good here.This was a multi-racial effort. As the robbery gang seemed like Arab types, and with the Japanese connection (along with stretches IN Japanese) it seemed as if the producers were aiming for the international market. Well done if so.The Japanese husband becoming a one man Yakuza seemed a bit laughable though. And the Arab men attempting to be friendly so they could bump Crowe off was just not believable.The action scenes make it. And a lot of atmosphere here too.And Colin Hay (remember Men At Work?) playing an annoying idiot in a wheelchair, constantly playing "Ride Of The Valkeries" on an accordion was a nice comedic touch.
This is a wild fun Austrailian movie that is well worth the ride The action dominates the movie with a collection of odd broken characters that you so often find in Australian movies. The story sometimes borrows themes from other 'road movies' which are fairly familiar, but the unique characters in the movie make this road movie unique in its own very strange way. Russell Crowe a la sideburns is still very cool, yet he does not dominate each scene as he has done in every movie he has made in the past 5 years. His somewhat understated presence allows his co-star Yidori (?) shine - a wonderful Japanese actress whose ingénue childlike looks contrast sharply with her bizarre change or metamorphosis from the gentle opening scenes. The classical musical romantic score is placed in a wild funny contrast to the plot,sometimes in a very campy way--yet it still works. This is not a great movie or a classic--but it has the zany features of movies like "TRUE ROMANCE', (a cult classic) I would highly recommend this movie for what it it is -- a wild action packed funny bizarre ride with a good run of crazy people--- This movie may be a 10 if you view it the Austrailian way --with a keg of good beer--wish I 'd seen this movie on the big screen but I don't recall this movie in the theater years ago-Enjoy--there are even a few good lines that will make you want to go back to it someday so a DVD purchase would not be wasted....
Admittedly I'm a dedicated Crowe fan and have almost all his old movies but when I first got Heaven's Burning I found it a bit odd and would have said - well all great actors have to put in time on mediocre movies before they get to the top stuff. However after watching it again today for about the sixth or seventh time, I have to say that it really is very watchable. Even those awful sideburns. But thanks for not inflicting them on us again Russell. Yes its a road movie crossed with Bonnie & Clyde,Aussie version, but the tender little love story, the fast pace, the violent bits and the collection of grotesque characters met on the way make for an interesting ride.
